# Mayak

> CubeSat

**Wikidata**: [Q30897023](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30897023)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mayak-q30897023

## Summary
Mayak is a miniaturized artificial satellite of the Earth classified as a CubeSat. Manufactured by Moscow Polytechnic University, it was launched into orbit on July 14, 2017, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** CubeSat and artificial satellite of the Earth
- **Launch Date:** July 14, 2017
- **Manufacturer:** Moscow Polytechnic University
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-2.1a rocket
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Mass:** 3.55 kilograms
- **Orbital Inclination:** 98 degrees
- **COSPAR ID:** 2017-042F
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 42830
- **Space Tug:** Fregat (122-02)

## FAQs
### Q: Who manufactured the Mayak satellite?
A: Mayak was manufactured by Moscow Polytechnic University, an educational organization based in Moscow, Russia, with history dating back to 1864.

### Q: When and where was Mayak launched?
A: Mayak was launched on July 14, 2017, from Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It was delivered into orbit using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle.

### Q: What are the physical dimensions and orbit of Mayak?
A: As a CubeSat, Mayak is composed of 10cm-sided cubic modules and has a total mass of 3.55 kg. It operates at an orbital inclination of 98 degrees.

## Why It Matters
Mayak represents a significant achievement in the field of miniaturized space technology, specifically within the CubeSat class. These satellites are characterized by their modular design, consisting of 10cm-sided cubic units, which allows for more accessible and cost-effective space research. The project highlights the role of educational institutions in aerospace manufacturing, as it was developed by Moscow Polytechnic University, a Russian organization with roots in the 19th century.

The successful deployment of Mayak on July 14, 2017, involved complex coordination with established space infrastructure, including the use of the Soyuz-2.1a rocket and the Fregat space tug. With a mass of only 3.55 kg and an orbital inclination of 98 degrees, Mayak is a documented part of the Earth's artificial satellite population, cataloged under COSPAR ID 2017-042F and SCN 42830. Its existence demonstrates the viability of university-led initiatives to design, build, and launch functional spacecraft into specific Earth orbits.

## Notable For
- **University-Led Manufacturing:** Developed by Moscow Polytechnic University in Russia.
- **Standardized Design:** Built as a CubeSat, a class of satellites made of 10cm-sided cubic modules.
- **Specific Launch Configuration:** Utilized the Soyuz-2.1a version of the Soyuz-2 rocket and a Fregat space tug for orbital delivery.
- **High Inclination Orbit:** Operates at a specific orbital inclination of 98 degrees.

## Body

### Classification and Design
Mayak is an artificial satellite of the Earth and is specifically categorized as a CubeSat. This classification refers to a type of miniaturized satellite that is built using standardized 10cm-sided cubic modules. The total mass of the Mayak satellite is recorded at 3.55 kilograms.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on July 14, 2017, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31. The launch was facilitated by a Soyuz-2.1a rocket, a specific version of the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle family. During the mission, a Fregat space tug (qualifier 122-02) was employed to assist in the deployment process.

### Technical Identification
Mayak is tracked and identified in international space databases through several identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 2017-042F
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 42830
- **Orbital Inclination:** 98 degrees

### Manufacturer Background
The manufacturer of the satellite is Moscow Polytechnic University, located in Moscow, Russia. The university is an established educational organization with inception dates cited as 1864 or 1865. The project is also referred to by the alias "Mayak (satellite)" and maintains an official web presence at your-sector-of-space.org/mayak/.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_stage/fregat.htm)