# PROBA-V Companion CubeSat

> ESA Earth observation follow-on satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q120078000](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q120078000)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROBA-V_CubeSat_Companion)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/proba-v-companion-cubesat

## Summary
PROBA-V Companion CubeSat is an ESA-sponsored 12U CubeSat built as an Earth observation follow-on and technology demonstration satellite. It was manufactured by Aerospacelab (spacecraft) with a payload from OIP Space Instruments, launched on Vega (VV23) into a Sun-synchronous orbit on 2023-10-09.

## Key Facts
- PROBA-V Companion CubeSat is an Earth observation follow-on satellite and a technology demonstration CubeSat in the PROBA programme.  
- Launch date and time: 2023-10-09 at 01:36:25 UTC; launch vehicle: Vega (VV23); launch site: Ensemble de Lancement Vega.  
- COSPAR ID / NSSDCA ID: 2023-155K.  
- Mass (launch weight): 18 kilogram.  
- Volume: 12 cubesat units (12U).  
- Power: four solar cell panels.  
- Manufacturer (spacecraft): Aerospacelab; manufacturer (payload): OIP Space Instruments.  
- Operator: European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC).  
- Funder: Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy; Sponsor: European Space Agency (ESA).  
- Orbit type: Sun-synchronous orbit.  
- Common aliases: PROBA-V CC, PVCC, PV-CC, PROBA-V plus one, Project for On-Board Autonomy - Vegetation Companion.  
- Part of: PROBA series; follows the PROBA-V mission; followed_by: PROBA-3.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the PROBA-V Companion CubeSat?
A: It is an Earth observation follow-on satellite and a technology demonstration CubeSat within the PROBA programme. Its role is described as continuing and complementing PROBA-V activities while demonstrating experimental technologies.

### Q: When and how was the PROBA-V Companion CubeSat launched?
A: It was launched on 2023-10-09 at 01:36:25 UTC aboard a Vega rocket (flight VV23) from Ensemble de Lancement Vega.

### Q: Who built and operates the CubeSat?
A: The spacecraft was manufactured by Aerospacelab; the payload was provided by OIP Space Instruments. The satellite is operated from the European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC).

### Q: What are the satellite's basic size, mass, and power specifications?
A: The CubeSat has a volume of 12 cubesat units (12U), a launch mass of 18 kg, and is powered by four solar cell panels.

### Q: How is the mission identified in space-object registries?
A: Its COSPAR identifier and NSSDCA identifier are 2023-155K.

## Why It Matters
PROBA-V Companion CubeSat matters because it continues the PROBA programme’s work in small-satellite Earth observation while serving as a platform to test and validate new on-board technologies. As a 12U CubeSat built and sponsored under European institutions, it demonstrates how compact spacecraft can support continuity of Earth-observation capabilities at lower cost and with faster development cycles than larger missions. The mission bridges heritage from the PROBA-V mission, providing a follow-on asset in a Sun-synchronous orbit which is suited for regular, repeatable Earth observations. Additionally, by combining a technology-demonstration role with practical observation objectives, the satellite contributes to both applied remote sensing needs and to maturation of technologies that can be reused on future PROBA missions or other small-satellite programmes. Its manufacture by Aerospacelab and payload by OIP Space Instruments illustrates European industry collaboration on smallsat platforms, while funding and sponsorship by national and ESA bodies demonstrate governmental support for continuity and innovation in space-based Earth observation.

## Notable For
- Being a 12U CubeSat (12 cubesat units) with a launch mass of 18 kg, combining compact form-factor with an Earth-observation and technology-demonstration mission.  
- Launched on Vega VV23 on 2023-10-09 into Sun-synchronous orbit, identified as COSPAR 2023-155K.  
- Built by Aerospacelab (spacecraft) with payload by OIP Space Instruments, reflecting a division of spacecraft and instrument manufacturing.  
- Funded by the Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy, sponsored by ESA, and operated from the European Space Security and Education Centre.  
- Designed explicitly as a follow-on to PROBA-V and as part of the PROBA programme.

## Body

### Overview
- Official/common name: PROBA-V Companion CubeSat (also: PROBA-V CC, PVCC, PV-CC, PROBA-V plus one, Project for On-Board Autonomy - Vegetation Companion).  
- Description: ESA Earth observation follow-on satellite and technology demonstration CubeSat in the PROBA family.  
- Programme context: Part of the PROBA (Project for On-Board Autonomy) series; follows PROBA-V.

### Launch and Orbit
- Launch date/time: 2023-10-09 at 01:36:25 UTC.  
- Launch vehicle: Vega, flight VV23.  
- Launch site / start point: Ensemble de Lancement Vega.  
- Significant event: rocket launch at Ensemble de Lancement Vega on 2023-10-09.  
- Orbit type: Sun-synchronous orbit.  
- Registry identifiers: COSPAR ID 2023-155K; NSSDCA ID 2023-155K.

### Spacecraft Design and Specifications
- Form factor: CubeSat, 12 cubesat units (12U).  
- Mass: 18 kg (launch weight).  
- Power: supplied by four solar cell panels.  
- Classifications: Earth observation satellite; technology demonstration spacecraft; CubeSat.

### Manufacturing, Funding, and Operations
- Spacecraft manufacturer: Aerospacelab (applies to spacecraft).  
- Payload manufacturer: OIP Space Instruments (applies to payload).  
- Sponsor: European Space Agency (ESA).  
- Funder: Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy.  
- Operator: European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC).

### Relationships to Other Missions
- Follows: PROBA-V (the PROBA vegetation-monitoring mission).  
- Part of: PROBA programme.  
- Followed_by: PROBA-3 (as listed among related PROBA missions).

### Identifiers and References
- Wikipedia title: PROBA-V CubeSat Companion.  
- COSPAR / NSSDCA: 2023-155K.  
- Common aliases and short names included in Key Facts.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "PROBA-V Companion CubeSat",
  "description": "An ESA-sponsored 12U CubeSat Earth observation follow-on and technology demonstration satellite launched on 2023-10-09.",
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## References

1. [Source](https://remotesensing.vito.be/news/proba-vs-companion-satellite-launched-successfully)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/proba-v-cc.htm)
3. [Source](https://www.belspo.be/belspo/space/esa_esec_en.stm)
4. Jonathan's Space Report
5. Space-Track
6. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/proba-v-plus-one#space-and-hardware-components)