# Pegasus

> Austrian CubeSat

**Wikidata**: [Q30102248](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30102248)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pegasus-q30102248

## Summary
Pegasus is an Austrian CubeSat launched in 2017 as part of the QB50 international research project to study Earth's upper atmosphere. Developed by the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, it carried scientific instruments to analyze atmospheric conditions and served as an educational platform for students. The satellite decayed in 2024 after completing its mission.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: June 23, 2017, at 03:59 UTC.
- **Country of Origin**: Austria.
- **Mass**: 1.9 kilograms.
- **Instruments**: Multi-needle Langmuir probe and mass spectrometer.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-C38) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
- **Orbit Decay**: Re-entered Earth's atmosphere on January 9, 2024.
- **Operator/Manufacturer**: University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt.
- **Mission**: Part of the QB50 project to study atmospheric re-entry and plasma dynamics.
- **Propulsion**: Micro-pulsed plasma thruster with 4 units.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of Pegasus?
A: Pegasus studied Earth's upper atmosphere and plasma dynamics as part of the QB50 project, focusing on atmospheric re-entry conditions.

### Q: How long did Pegasus operate before decaying?
A: Pegasus remained in orbit for approximately 6.5 years, decaying on January 9, 2024.

### Q: Who developed and operated Pegasus?
A: The satellite was designed, built, and operated by the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt in Austria.

## Why It Matters
Pegasus contributed to global atmospheric research as part of the QB50 initiative, a network of CubeSats studying Earth's upper atmosphere. Its mission provided critical data on plasma dynamics and re-entry conditions, aiding scientific understanding of atmospheric behavior. As an educational project, it offered hands-on experience for students in spacecraft development and operations, fostering innovation in Austrian space research. Though operational for less than a decade, its findings and role in academic training underscore its significance in both scientific and educational contexts.

## Notable For
- **QB50 Project Participation**: One of 50 CubeSats in an international atmospheric research network.
- **Plasma Thruster Technology**: Utilized a micro-pulsed plasma thruster for propulsion.
- **Educational Focus**: Served as a teaching tool for students at the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt.
- **Austrian Space Milestone**: Demonstrated Austria's capability in developing and launching space technology.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Pegasus was launched on June 23, 2017, aboard the PSLV-C38 rocket from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre. As part of the QB50 project, it aimed to study Earth's upper atmosphere and ionosphere, focusing on plasma dynamics and re-entry conditions. The satellite carried a multi-needle Langmuir probe and a mass spectrometer to collect data on atmospheric composition and particle behavior.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 1.9 kg (standard 1U CubeSat size).
- **Propulsion**: Equipped with four micro-pulsed plasma thrusters.
- **Instruments**: 
  - Multi-needle Langmuir probe (plasma measurement).
  - Mass spectrometer (atmospheric composition analysis).
- **Power**: Solar panels with battery storage.

### Launch and Decay
- **Launch Vehicle**: PSLV-XL (configuration PSLV-C38).
- ** Decay Date**: January 9, 2024, after 6.5 years in orbit.
- **Re-entry**: Completed its mission and disintegrated in Earth's atmosphere.

### Legacy
Pegasus was succeeded by the proposed CLIMB satellite, continuing Austria's involvement in space research. Its mission highlighted the viability of CubeSats for cost-effective scientific studies and educational outreach, reinforcing collaboration between academic institutions and international space projects.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "Pegasus",
  "description": "Austrian CubeSat launched in 2017 as part of the QB50 project to study Earth's upper atmosphere.",
  "url": "https://cubesat.fhwn.ac.at/pegasus/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117041642",
    "https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_(Satellit)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "CubeSat",
  "manufacturer": "University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt",
  "launchDate": "2017-06-23",
  "mass": "1.9 kg",
  "orbitDecayDate": "2024-01-09"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/pegasus_qb50.htm)
2. [Source](https://cubesat.fhwn.ac.at/pegasus/)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=42784)