# Magnetospheric Multiscale 1

> spacecraft in the Magnetospheric Multiscale constellation

**Wikidata**: [Q113274522](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113274522)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/magnetospheric-multiscale-1

## Summary
Magnetospheric Multiscale 1 (MMS 1) is a United States geomagnetic research satellite operated by NASA and one of four spacecraft in the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission constellation. It was launched on 2015-03-13 by an Atlas V 421 (AV-053) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 into a highly elliptical orbit to study Earth's magnetosphere.

## Key Facts
- Magnetospheric Multiscale 1 (also MMS 1, MMS1, Solar Terrestrial Probe 4A, STP 4A, John) is a geomagnetic satellite.  
- It is part of the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, a United States magnetospheric research satellite constellation.  
- Operator: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  
- Launch date and time: 2015-03-13 at 02:44 (UTC).  
- Launch vehicle: Atlas V 421 (AV-053).  
- Launch site / start point: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.  
- Orbit type: highly elliptical orbit.  
- COSPAR ID: 2015-011A.  
- NSSDC ID: 2015-011A.  
- SCN (spacecraft number): 40482.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Magnetospheric Multiscale 1?
A: Magnetospheric Multiscale 1 is a NASA-operated geomagnetic satellite that is one of four spacecraft in the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, built to conduct research on Earth's magnetosphere.

### Q: When and how was MMS 1 launched?
A: MMS 1 was launched on 2015-03-13 at 02:44 (UTC) aboard an Atlas V 421 launch vehicle (AV-053) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

### Q: What orbit does MMS 1 operate in?
A: MMS 1 was placed into a highly elliptical orbit to perform its magnetospheric research.

### Q: What are common alternate names for Magnetospheric Multiscale 1?
A: Alternate names and aliases include MMS 1, MMS1, Solar Terrestrial Probe 4A, STP 4A, and John.

## Why It Matters
Magnetospheric Multiscale 1 is a core element of NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission, a targeted effort to study Earth's magnetosphere. As a geomagnetic satellite, MMS 1 contributes to coordinated measurements from a multi-spacecraft constellation designed to observe magnetospheric processes from multiple vantage points. Its placement into a highly elliptical orbit allows it to sample regions of the magnetosphere that are critical for understanding particle dynamics and magnetic reconnection. Operated by NASA and launched from Cape Canaveral on an Atlas V 421 vehicle, MMS 1 carries official designations (COSPAR 2015-011A, NSSDC 2015-011A) that tie it to the broader observational and archival infrastructure used by researchers. Together with its sister spacecraft in the constellation, MMS 1 supports scientific investigations that advance understanding of space weather and near-Earth plasma environments.

## Notable For
- Being one of the four spacecraft in NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission constellation.  
- Launch on 2015-03-13 by an Atlas V 421 (AV-053) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.  
- Official designations COSPAR ID 2015-011A and NSSDC ID 2015-011A.  
- Operated by NASA and classified as a geomagnetic (magnetospheric research) satellite.  
- Spacecraft catalog number (SCN) 40482.

## Body

### Overview
- Name: Magnetospheric Multiscale 1.  
- Short forms / aliases: MMS 1, MMS1, Solar Terrestrial Probe 4A, STP 4A, John.  
- Wikidata description: spacecraft in the Magnetospheric Multiscale constellation.  
- Instance of: geomagnetic satellite.

### Part of / Mission
- Part of: Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission.  
- Role: member spacecraft in a United States magnetospheric research satellite constellation.  
- Operator: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

### Identifiers and Classification
- SCN (spacecraft number): 40482.  
- COSPAR ID: 2015-011A.  
- NSSDC ID: 2015-011A.

### Launch and Deployment
- Launch date: 2015-03-13.  
- Launch time qualifier: 02:44 (UTC).  
- Launch vehicle: Atlas V 421; vehicle identifier AV-053.  
- Launch site / start point: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.  
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 on 2015-03-13.

### Orbit
- Satellite of: highly elliptical orbit.

### Country and Ownership
- Country of origin: United States.  
- Operated by: NASA.

### Naming and Aliases
- Alternate names recorded include Solar Terrestrial Probe 4A and STP 4A, reflecting programmatic designations.  
- Informal alias: John.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report