# MarCO-A

> one of a pair of 6U CubeSats launched on the Mars 2020 mission

**Wikidata**: [Q52726080](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q52726080)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/marco-a

## Summary
MarCO-A, also known by its nickname "EVE," is a 6U CubeSat space probe and communications satellite operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Launched on May 5, 2018, as part of the Mars Cube One mission, it served as a technology demonstration for small satellites in deep space. The spacecraft successfully completed a Mars flyby on November 26, 2018, before contact was lost in early 2019.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** 6U CubeSat; instance of a communications satellite and space probe.
*   **Launch Date:** May 5, 2018 (Time: 11:05:01 UTC).
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas V 401 (AV-078).
*   **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East.
*   **Manufacturer:** Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
*   **Operator:** Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
*   **Mass:** 13.7 kilograms (launch weight).
*   **Dimensions (Spacecraft Bus):** 24.3 cm (width) x 36.6 cm (height) x 11.8 cm (length).
*   **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2018-042B; NSSDCA ID 2018-042B; SCN 43458; NAIF ID -65.
*   **Mission End:** Loss of signal occurred on January 4, 2019.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of MarCO-A?
A: MarCO-A was a communications satellite and technology demonstration probe designed to fly by Mars. It was part of a pair of CubeSats meant to test the capability of small spacecraft to survive and operate in deep space.

### Q: When did MarCO-A fly by Mars?
A: MarCO-A performed a Mars flyby on November 26, 2018, at approximately 19:44:11. During the flyby, it approached within 1,627 kilometers of the planet.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for MarCO-A?
A: MarCO-A was launched aboard an Atlas V 401 rocket (serial number AV-078) from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 3 East on May 5, 2018.

## Why It Matters
MarCO-A represents a pivotal shift in deep space exploration by demonstrating that low-cost, miniature spacecraft known as CubeSats can survive the rigors of interplanetary travel. Traditionally, deep space missions require massive budgets and large, complex spacecraft; MarCO-A proved that a 6U CubeSat, roughly the size of a briefcase, could successfully navigate to Mars, maintain communication, and conduct a flyby millions of kilometers from Earth. This mission validated the use of commercial off-the-shelf components and standardized CubeSat units for high-risk, high-reward scientific and exploratory tasks. By successfully relaying data and completing its planned flyby, MarCO-A has paved the way for future "swarm" missions where small satellites can complement larger probes, offering a more resilient and cost-effective approach to solar system exploration.

## Notable For
*   **First Interplanetary CubeSats:** Being one of the first pair of CubeSats (along with MarCO-B) to operate beyond Earth's orbit.
*   **Mars Flyby:** Successfully executing a Mars flyby at a distance of 1,627 km.
*   **Technology Demonstration:** Proving the viability of the 6U CubeSat form factor for deep space communications.
*   **Companion Mission:** Launching alongside the InSight lander (Mars 2020 mission context) to provide real-time status updates during entry, descent, and landing.

## Body
### Mission Overview
MarCO-A (Mars Cube One-A) is a 6U CubeSat developed and operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It is a twin to MarCO-B and collectively they form the Mars Cube One mission. The spacecraft was launched on May 5, 2018, utilizing an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle provided by United Launch Alliance. Its primary designation is a communications satellite and space probe.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft has a launch mass of 13.7 kilograms. The spacecraft bus measures 24.3 centimeters in width, 36.6 centimeters in height, and 11.8 centimeters in length, conforming to the 6U CubeSat standard volume. It is identified by the COSPAR ID 2018-042B and the Satellite Catalog Number 43458.

### Trajectory and Events
Following its launch from Vandenberg, MarCO-A entered a heliocentric orbit. The mission's significant deep space event occurred on November 26, 2018, when it performed a flyby of Mars. During this event, the spacecraft passed the planet at a distance of 1,627 kilometers at 19:44:11.

Following the Mars flyby, the spacecraft continued its trajectory until contact was lost on January 4, 2019. It is often referred to by the nickname "EVE."

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/marco.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://issfd.org/ISSFD_2019/ISSFD_2019_AIAC18_Martin-mur-Tomas.pdf)
4. [Source](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7327)
5. [Source](https://earthsky.org/space/eve-wall-e-cubesats-1st-mars-image)
6. [Source](https://www.planetary.org/articles/so-long-marco)