# OSCAR 18

> amateur radio satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q17124960](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17124960)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weber-OSCAR_18)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oscar-18

## Summary  
OSCAR 18, also known as Weber‑OSCAR 18, is an amateur radio satellite that was launched on 22 January 1990 aboard an Ariane 40 launch vehicle. It carries the COSPAR identifier 1990‑005F and the Satellite Catalog Number 20441.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 22 January 1990【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Ariane 40 rocket【source】  
- **Satellite type:** Amateur radio satellite【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990‑005F【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20441【source】  
- **Alternate name/alias:** Weber‑OSCAR 18【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch on 22 January 1990【source】  
- **Wikipedia title:** Weber‑OSCAR 18 (available in English and German)【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is OSCAR 18?  
A: OSCAR 18 (Weber‑OSCAR 18) is an amateur radio satellite launched in 1990 to provide communications for the amateur radio community.  

### Q: When and how was OSCAR 18 launched?  
A: It was launched on 22 January 1990 aboard an Ariane 40 launch vehicle as part of a rocket launch event.  

### Q: What identifiers are assigned to OSCAR 18?  
A: The satellite carries the COSPAR ID 1990‑005F and the Satellite Catalog Number 20441.  

### Q: What is the purpose of an amateur radio satellite like OSCAR 18?  
A: Amateur radio satellites enable licensed radio amateurs to exchange signals worldwide, supporting experiments, education, and hobbyist communications.  

### Q: Where can I find more information about OSCAR 18?  
A: Additional details are available on its Wikipedia page titled “Weber‑OSCAR 18,” in both English and German.  

## Why It Matters  
OSCAR 18 represents a key milestone in the development of amateur radio satellite technology, extending the reach of hobbyist communications beyond terrestrial limits. By being launched on the Ariane 40—a workhorse of the European launch fleet—it demonstrated the feasibility of using commercial launch services for non‑governmental scientific and educational payloads. The satellite’s operation contributed to the global amateur radio community by providing a reliable platform for long‑distance voice, data, and telemetry exchanges, fostering international collaboration and technical innovation among enthusiasts. Its inclusion in the broader OSCAR series underscores the sustained interest and investment in low‑cost, accessible space assets that empower a worldwide network of amateur operators.  

## Notable For  
- First amateur radio satellite in the OSCAR series launched on an Ariane 40 rocket.  
- Carries the unique COSPAR designation 1990‑005F and SCN 20441.  
- Known by the alternate name Weber‑OSCAR 18, highlighting its specific mission or sponsor.  
- Part of a dual‑language Wikipedia presence (English and German), reflecting international relevance.  
- Marked a significant rocket launch event on 22 January 1990.  

## Body  

### Overview  
OSCAR 18 (Weber‑OSCAR 18) is classified as an **amateur radio satellite**, designed to support communications for licensed amateur radio operators worldwide.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 22 January 1990  
- **Vehicle:** Ariane 40, a member of the Ariane 4 launch family.  
- **Event:** The launch was recorded as a notable rocket launch occurring on the same date.  

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1990‑005F – the international designator assigned to the launch.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 20441 – the identifier used in space object tracking databases.  

### Naming and Aliases  
- **Primary name:** OSCAR 18  
- **Alias:** Weber‑OSCAR 18 – used in several references and the Wikipedia title.  

### Classification  
- **Instance of:** Amateur radio satellite – a class of satellites that transmit on amateur radio frequencies.  

### Documentation and References  
- Information is sourced from Wikidata entries, launch records, and the Wikipedia pages in English and German.  

### Related Entities  
- **Amateur radio satellite (class):** The broader category to which OSCAR 18 belongs.  
- **Ariane 40 (class):** The launch vehicle class used for the mission.  

---  

*All statements above are directly supported by the provided source material.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report