# NEE-01 Pegaso

> Ecuadorian satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q924851](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q924851)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEE-01_Pegaso)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nee-01-pegaso

## Summary
NEE-01 Pegaso is a 1.266 kg CubeSat developed by Ecuador's Civilian Space Agency, launched on April 26, 2013, as a technology demonstration spacecraft. It was the first Ecuadorian satellite and operated in a sun-synchronous orbit before colliding with debris in May 2013.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Technology demonstration spacecraft and CubeSat (1U)
- **Mass**: 1.266 kg
- **Launch Date**: April 26, 2013, at 04:13 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Long March 2D (Y18)
- **Launch Site**: Jiuquan Launch Complex 43/94
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit
- **Operator**: Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array (2 units)
- **Collision**: Struck debris from SL-14 rocket body on May 23, 2013
- **Followed By**: NEE-02 Krysaor
- **Named After**: Pegasus (mythological winged horse)
- **Aliases**: Ecuadorian Space Ship-01, Pegaso, NEE-01 Pegasus

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of NEE-01 Pegaso?
A: Pegaso was a technology demonstration CubeSat designed to test experimental technologies in space, marking Ecuador's first satellite mission.

### Q: Where was NEE-01 Pegaso launched from?
A: It was launched from Jiuquan Launch Complex 43/94 in China using a Long March 2D rocket.

### Q: What happened to NEE-01 Pegaso?
A: The satellite collided with debris from the SL-14 rocket body on May 23, 2013, shortly after launch.

### Q: Who built NEE-01 Pegaso?
A: The Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency developed and operated the satellite.

### Q: What was unique about Pegaso's orbit?
A: It operated in a sun-synchronous orbit, allowing consistent lighting conditions for its experiments.

## Why It Matters
NEE-01 Pegaso was a historic milestone for Ecuadorian space exploration, representing the country's first foray into satellite technology. As a CubeSat, it demonstrated the feasibility of miniaturized spacecraft for scientific and technological demonstrations. Despite its brief operational life, the mission provided valuable experience in satellite development, launch coordination, and orbital operations. The collision with orbital debris highlighted the growing challenge of space junk management. Pegaso's legacy lives on through its successor, NEE-02 Krysaor, and continues to inspire Ecuador's ambitions in space exploration.

## Notable For
- First Ecuadorian satellite
- First CubeSat launched by Ecuador
- Demonstrated Ecuador's capability in satellite technology
- Tested spacecraft solar array power systems
- Served as a precursor to Ecuador's NEE-02 Krysaor mission

## Body
### Overview
NEE-01 Pegaso was a 1U CubeSat developed by Ecuador's Civilian Space Agency. Weighing 1.266 kg, it was launched on April 26, 2013, aboard a Long March 2D rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite was named after the mythological Pegasus and served as a technology demonstrator.

### Mission Details
- **Primary Objective**: Test experimental technologies in space.
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit, ensuring consistent lighting for experiments.
- **Power System**: Equipped with two spacecraft solar arrays.
- **Operational Period**: Briefly operational before colliding with debris on May 23, 2013.

### Significance
- **Historical Achievement**: First satellite developed and launched by Ecuador.
- **Technological Milestone**: Demonstrated Ecuador's growing space capabilities.
- **Educational Impact**: Inspired future space programs in Ecuador.

### Legacy
- **Successor**: Followed by NEE-02 Krysaor, launched in 2018.
- **Inspiration**: Contributed to Ecuador's space exploration ambitions.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "NEE-01 Pegaso",
  "description": "First Ecuadorian satellite and technology demonstration CubeSat launched in 2013.",
  "url": "http://pegaso.exa.ec/",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39151", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEE-01_Pegaso"],
  "additionalType": ["CubeSat", "Technology Demonstration Spacecraft"]
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/nee-01-pegaso.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/ODQNv17i3.pdf)
5. [Source](http://www.exa.ec/trabajos/THE%20PEGASUS%20INCIDENT-THE%20LOSS%20OF%20THE%20FIRST%20ECUADORIAN%20SATELLITE%20AND%20ITS%20RECOVERY-2.docx%20-%20IAC-14,A6,7,10,x21921.pdf)