# Minisatellite Italiano di Technologia Avanzata

> small satellite technology demonstrator

**Wikidata**: [Q21406042](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21406042)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/minisatellite-italiano-di-technologia-avanzata

## Summary
The **Minisatellite Italiano di Technologia Avanzata (MITA)** is a small Italian research satellite launched in 2000 to demonstrate advanced satellite technologies. Operated by the Italian Space Agency, it served as a technology demonstrator in low Earth orbit, testing experimental systems before re-entering the atmosphere in 2001.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: July 15, 2000, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Mass**: 170 kg (launch weight).
- **Operator**: Italian Space Agency (ASI).
- **Manufacturer**: Carlo Gavazzi Space.
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit (LEO).
- **Service Life**: Designed for 1 year; operated for ~1.1 years before atmospheric re-entry on August 15, 2001.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket (Soviet/Russian).
- **Power Source**: Solar cells.
- **Aliases**: MITA, MITA-NINA, Mini-Satellite Italiano a Tecnologia Avanzata, MITA-O.
- **COMPAR ID**: 2000-039A.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of MITA?
A: MITA was a technology demonstration satellite designed to test advanced systems for future Italian space missions, including experimental payloads and satellite bus technologies.

### Q: How long did MITA operate in space?
A: MITA was operational for approximately 1.1 years, exceeding its 1-year design life, before re-entering Earth's atmosphere on August 15, 2001.

### Q: Who built and operated MITA?
A: The satellite was manufactured by **Carlo Gavazzi Space** and operated by the **Italian Space Agency (ASI)**.

### Q: What rocket launched MITA?
A: MITA was launched aboard a **Kosmos-3M** rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

### Q: What happened to MITA after its mission?
A: After completing its mission, MITA underwent atmospheric re-entry and burned up on August 15, 2001.

## Why It Matters
MITA played a crucial role in advancing Italy’s satellite technology capabilities. As a small satellite demonstrator, it validated experimental systems that could be scaled for future missions, reducing risks and costs for larger projects. Its successful operation—despite a short lifespan—showcased Italy’s growing expertise in space engineering and contributed to the broader development of small satellite platforms. Technology demonstrators like MITA are vital for testing innovations in real-space conditions, bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical applications. By proving new technologies in orbit, MITA helped pave the way for more ambitious Italian and European space missions.

## Notable For
- **First Italian small satellite technology demonstrator** of its kind.
- **Short but successful mission**, operating beyond its 1-year design life.
- **Launched alongside CHAMP**, a German satellite, on the same Kosmos-3M rocket.
- **Unique spacecraft bus design** (MITA bus) tailored for experimental payloads.
- **Contributed to Italy’s space technology advancements**, influencing later ASI missions.

## Body
### Overview
The **Minisatellite Italiano di Technologia Avanzata (MITA)** was a small satellite developed by Italy to test and validate advanced space technologies. Classified as both a **research satellite** and a **technology demonstration spacecraft**, it was part of Italy’s efforts to expand its capabilities in satellite engineering.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 170 kg at launch.
- **Power System**: Solar cells for energy generation.
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit (LEO).
- **Design Life**: 1 year (achieved ~1.1 years in operation).
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Custom MITA bus designed for experimental payloads.

### Mission Timeline
- **Launch**: July 15, 2000, at 12:00 UTC from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132** (Russia).
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket (flight number 47136-414).
- **Co-Passenger**: Launched alongside **CHAMP**, a German research satellite.
- **Operational Period**: July 2000 – August 2001.
- **Deorbit**: Re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on **August 15, 2001**.

### Operators and Manufacturers
- **Operator**: Italian Space Agency (ASI).
- **Manufacturer**: Carlo Gavazzi Space (now part of Thales Alenia Space).
- **Country of Origin**: Italy.

### Scientific and Technological Impact
MITA’s primary role was to demonstrate new technologies for future Italian satellites. While specific payload details are not provided in the source material, its successful operation helped validate systems for:
- **Satellite bus architectures** optimized for small satellites.
- **Experimental payload integration**.
- **Power management** using solar cells in LEO.

### Legacy
Though MITA’s mission was brief, it served as a stepping stone for Italy’s subsequent small satellite programs. The data and experience gained from MITA informed the development of more advanced Italian spacecraft, reinforcing the country’s position in the European space sector.

## Schema Markup
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{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Minisatellite Italiano di Technologia Avanzata",
  "description": "A small Italian research satellite launched in 2000 to demonstrate advanced satellite technologies.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345678",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MITA_(satellite)"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184428",  // research satellite
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184428"   // technology demonstration spacecraft
  ],
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Carlo Gavazzi Space"
  },
  "operator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Italian Space Agency"
  },
  "dateCreated": "2000-07-15",
  "dateDeleted": "2001-08-15",
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 170,
    "unitCode": "KGM"
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  "countryOfOrigin": {
    "@type": "Country",
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  }
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mita.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=26404)