# North Utah Satellite

> American technology demonstration satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6037006](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6037006)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/north-utah-satellite

## Summary
The **North Utah Satellite (NUSAT)** is an American technology demonstration satellite launched in 1985 as part of a collaborative project between Utah State University and Weber State University. It was designed to test experimental technologies in space and operated as a small satellite under 1,200 kg, deployed via the Space Shuttle *Challenger*.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: April 29, 1985, at 16:02:18 UTC from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- **Mass**: 54.5 kg, classifying it as a small satellite.
- **Operators/Manufacturers**: Jointly operated and built by **Utah State University** and **Weber State University**.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Deployed via the **Space Shuttle *Challenger*** (mission STS-51-B).
- **Mission Duration**: Entered Earth's atmosphere on December 15, 1986, after ~1.5 years in orbit.
- **Funding**: Supported by **NASA** (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-034B (official designation for tracking).
- **Power Source**: Solar array-powered spacecraft.
- **Aliases**: Also known as **NUSAT** or **NUSAT 1**.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the North Utah Satellite?
A: The North Utah Satellite was a **technology demonstration spacecraft** designed to test experimental technologies in low Earth orbit. It served as a platform for academic research, particularly for Utah State University and Weber State University.

### Q: How was the North Utah Satellite launched?
A: It was launched aboard the **Space Shuttle *Challenger*** on April 29, 1985, during mission **STS-51-B** from Kennedy Space Center.

### Q: How long did the North Utah Satellite remain in orbit?
A: The satellite operated for approximately **1.5 years**, re-entering Earth's atmosphere on **December 15, 1986**.

### Q: Who built and operated the North Utah Satellite?
A: It was a collaborative project between **Utah State University** and **Weber State University**, with funding from **NASA**.

### Q: What type of satellite was NUSAT?
A: NUSAT was a **small satellite** (under 1,200 kg) classified as a **technology demonstration spacecraft**, used to validate new space technologies.

## Why It Matters
The North Utah Satellite represents an early example of **university-led space research**, demonstrating how academic institutions could design, build, and operate satellites to advance technological innovation. As a technology demonstration mission, it helped validate experimental systems in the harsh environment of space, contributing to the broader development of small satellite capabilities. Its successful deployment via the Space Shuttle program also highlighted the **accessibility of space for educational institutions**, paving the way for future student-built satellites. Additionally, its short but impactful mission underscored the feasibility of low-cost, rapid-development spacecraft, influencing later small satellite programs.

## Notable For
- **First university-built satellite from Utah**: One of the earliest small satellites developed and operated by U.S. universities.
- **Space Shuttle deployment**: Launched during the **STS-51-B** mission, showcasing the Shuttle's role in deploying experimental payloads.
- **Short but successful mission**: Operated for ~1.5 years, proving the viability of academic satellite projects.
- **NASA-funded technology demonstrator**: Served as a testbed for experimental space technologies.
- **Collaborative academic effort**: Jointly developed by **Utah State University** and **Weber State University**, setting a precedent for inter-university space projects.

## Body
### Overview and Mission
The **North Utah Satellite (NUSAT)** was an American **technology demonstration satellite** launched in 1985. Its primary objective was to test experimental technologies in space, serving as a platform for academic research. The project was a collaboration between **Utah State University** and **Weber State University**, with funding provided by **NASA**.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 54.5 kg (classifying it as a small satellite).
- **Power Source**: Solar array-based system.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-034B (used for international tracking).
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1985-034B (NASA catalog identifier).

### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Date**: April 29, 1985, at **16:02:18 UTC**.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Space Shuttle *Challenger* (mission **STS-51-B**).
- **Launch Site**: **Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A**.
- **Deployment**: Released into low Earth orbit as part of the Shuttle's payload.

### Mission Timeline
- **April 29, 1985**: Successful launch and deployment.
- **December 15, 1986**: Re-entered Earth's atmosphere, concluding its mission after approximately **1.5 years** in orbit.

### Operators and Manufacturers
- **Utah State University**: Public university in Logan, Utah, founded in 1888.
- **Weber State University**: Collaborating institution in the satellite's development and operation.
- **Funding**: Provided by **NASA**, underscoring the agency's support for academic space research.

### Significance in Space Technology
NUSAT was part of a broader effort to demonstrate the feasibility of **small, university-built satellites**. Its success helped validate the use of such platforms for **low-cost, rapid-development space missions**, influencing later programs like CubeSats. The mission also highlighted the **Space Shuttle's role** in deploying experimental payloads, contributing to the growth of academic space research.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/nusat.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1985-034B)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1985-034B)