# PCsat

> American amateur radio satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q2754398](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2754398)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSCAR_44)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pcsat

## Summary
PCsat (also known as NO-44 or OSCAR 44) is an American amateur radio satellite launched on September 30, 2001. Classified as an artificial satellite, it serves as a relay for amateur radio transmissions. It was launched from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska aboard an Athena I rocket.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Designations:** PCsat is also known by the aliases NO-44, PCSAT, and OSCAR 44.
*   **Classification:** It is categorized as an amateur radio satellite and an artificial satellite.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on September 30, 2001.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered into orbit by an Athena I expendable launch system.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska.
*   **COSPAR ID:** Its international satellite identifier is 2001-043C.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under SCN 26931.
*   **Wikipedia Title:** The satellite's encyclopedia entry is titled "OSCAR 44".

## FAQs
### Q: What is PCsat?
A: PCsat is an American amateur radio satellite, designated as an artificial satellite put into orbit to support amateur radio activities. It is also referred to as NO-44 or PCSAT.

### Q: When and where was PCsat launched?
A: PCsat was launched on September 30, 2001, from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch PCsat?
A: The satellite was launched using an Athena I rocket, which is an American expendable launch system.

## Why It Matters
PCsat serves as a specific instance of infrastructure within the global network of amateur radio satellites. As an artificial satellite dedicated to amateur radio, it contributes to the capabilities available to licensed amateur radio operators for communication and experimentation.

The satellite is notable for its association with the Athena I launch system, an American expendable rocket. Its launch from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (formerly known as Kodiak Launch Complex) marks it as a participant in the operational history of that spaceport. By providing relay capabilities, PCsat represents the practical application of amateur radio technology in space, extending the range of communication for users on the ground.

## Notable For
*   **Amateur Radio Function:** It is a specialized satellite designed to transmit amateur radio signals.
*   **Specific Launch Configuration:** It was deployed using the Athena I expendable launch system.
*   **Alaska Launch Origin:** It was launched from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska.
*   **Multiple Identifiers:** The entity is recognized under several distinct names, including NO-44, PCSAT, and OSCAR 44.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
PCsat is formally classified as an amateur radio satellite, a type of artificial satellite specifically designed to handle amateur radio traffic. In academic and knowledge base records, it is cross-referenced with the entity "artificial satellite" (defined as a human-made object put into orbit). The satellite is documented in multiple languages across Wikipedia, including English, German, and Galician, and is categorized under "PCSat 1" on Wikimedia Commons.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite's deployment is a significant recorded event in its operational timeline.
*   **Date:** The launch took place on September 30, 2001.
*   **Location:** The start point for the mission was the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska.
*   **Vehicle:** The launch vehicle utilized was the Athena I, an American expendable launch system.
*   **Event Type:** This activity is classified as a "rocket launch" in structured data.

### Technical and Administrative Identifiers
PCsat is tracked and referenced through several numerical and alphanumeric systems:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2001-043C
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 26931
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "26931"]
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/1q6j7fxfm

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report