# Nanosat-1B

> Spanish research and communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6964139](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6964139)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanosat-1B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nanosat-1b

## Summary
Nanosat-1B is a Spanish research and communications satellite launched on July 29, 2009. It serves as a successor to the Nanosat 01 mission and was designed to facilitate telecommunications and scientific research from low Earth orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** July 29, 2009
- **Operator:** Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial Esteban Terradas (INTA)
- **Manufacturers:** University of Seville and INTA
- **Launch Vehicle:** Dnepr (a converted Satan ICBM)
- **Orbit Type:** Polar orbit within low Earth orbit (LEO)
- **Preceded By:** Nanosat 01
- **COSPAR ID:** 2009-041E
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 35685
- **Country of Origin:** Spain
- **Classification:** Communications satellite

## FAQs
### Q: Who operates Nanosat-1B?
A: The satellite is operated by the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial Esteban Terradas (INTA), Spain's national aerospace research organization. It was co-manufactured by INTA in collaboration with the University of Seville.

### Q: How was Nanosat-1B launched into orbit?
A: Nanosat-1B was launched from Site 109 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 29, 2009. It reached space via a Dnepr rocket, which is a launch vehicle created from a converted Satan ICBM.

### Q: What is the primary mission of Nanosat-1B?
A: It is a dual-purpose satellite designed for both telecommunications and scientific research. It operates in a polar low Earth orbit to perform these functions.

### Q: What satellite did Nanosat-1B follow in its program?
A: Nanosat-1B is the successor to Nanosat 01, a previous Spanish nanosatellite mission.

## Why It Matters
Nanosat-1B represents a significant component of Spain's aerospace heritage, specifically in the development of small-scale "nanosatellites." By succeeding Nanosat 01, it continued Spain's efforts to establish a presence in low Earth orbit for both scientific and telecommunication purposes. The project is a notable example of institutional and academic collaboration, as it was developed through the joint efforts of the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA) and the University of Seville. 

The satellite's use of a Dnepr launch vehicle—a repurposed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)—highlights a specific era of space exploration where former military technology was converted for peaceful research applications. Operating in a polar orbit, Nanosat-1B provides specialized coverage and data collection capabilities that contribute to the broader field of satellite communications. Its mission reinforces the viability of nanosatellites as cost-effective platforms for national space programs to conduct sophisticated research.

## Notable For
- **Successor Mission:** Directly follows the Nanosat 01 project in Spain's nanosatellite lineage.
- **Repurposed Launch Technology:** Launched using a Dnepr rocket, a vehicle derived from a converted Satan ICBM.
- **Academic-Government Collaboration:** Jointly manufactured by the University of Seville and the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA).
- **Polar Orbit:** Utilizes a specific polar low Earth orbit (LEO) for its research and communication operations.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
Nanosat-1B is an artificial satellite designed for telecommunications and scientific research. It is classified as a communications satellite and serves as a research platform for the Spanish government and academic sectors. The mission is a direct follow-up to the Nanosat 01 satellite.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on July 29, 2009, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109. The launch vehicle utilized for the mission was the Dnepr, a converted Satan ICBM. This launch is recorded as a significant event in the satellite's history, placing the craft into its designated polar orbit.

### Technical Specifications
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2009-041E
*   **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 35685
*   **Orbit:** Low Earth orbit (LEO) with a polar orientation.
*   **Aliases:** The entity is also referred to as NANOSAT 1B or Nanosat1b.

### Development and Operation
The development of Nanosat-1B involved two primary Spanish entities:
*   **INTA (Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial Esteban Terradas):** Acted as both the operator and a manufacturer.
*   **University of Seville:** Acted as a co-manufacturer for the satellite.

The satellite is tracked under the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "35685"]` and is documented across multiple languages, including Spanish, Catalan, French, and English.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report