# Saudisat 1A
**Wikidata**: [Q17124961](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17124961)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saudisat-1a

## Summary  
Saudisat 1A is Saudi Arabia's first amateur radio satellite, launched in 2000 to support amateur radio communication. It was deployed using a Dnepr rocket, a converted Soviet-era ICBM, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellite holds the COSPAR ID 2000-057A and the satellite catalog number (SCN) 26545.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: September 26, 2000.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Dnepr (a repurposed Satan ICBM).  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109, Kazakhstan.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2000-057A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 26545.  
- **Primary Function**: Amateur radio satellite for global communication.  
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in German.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Saudisat 1A launched?  
A: Saudisat 1A was launched on September 26, 2000, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109 in Kazakhstan.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Saudisat 1A?  
A: It served as an amateur radio satellite, enabling communication for amateur radio operators worldwide.  

### Q: What type of rocket was used to launch Saudisat 1A?  
A: The satellite was launched using a Dnepr rocket, a converted Soviet-era Satan ICBM.  

## Why It Matters  
Saudisat 1A marked Saudi Arabia's entry into the field of amateur satellite technology, reflecting the nation's early efforts in space exploration. As one of the first satellites launched via the Dnepr rocket, it demonstrated the repurposing of military hardware (ICBMs) for civilian space activities. The mission contributed to global amateur radio networks, fostering international collaboration among radio enthusiasts. Its launch also highlighted the cost-effective use of converted missiles for satellite deployment, a significant trend in 2000s space technology.  

## Notable For  
- Saudi Arabia's first amateur radio satellite.  
- Launched aboard the inaugural Dnepr rocket mission.  
- Utilized a repurposed Soviet ICBM as its launch vehicle.  
- Featured in German Wikipedia, indicating international recognition.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: September 26, 2000.  
- **Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109, Kazakhstan.  
- **Vehicle**: Dnepr rocket (converted Satan ICBM).  

### Technical Specifications  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2000-057A.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 26545.  
- **Classification**: Amateur radio satellite.  

### Mission Purpose  
Saudisat 1A was designed to facilitate amateur radio communication, supporting enthusiasts in transmitting and receiving data globally.  

### Legacy  
- Part of the first Dnepr launch, showcasing missile-to-satellite conversion technology.  
- Paved the way for subsequent Saudi participation in space projects.  
- Highlighted international cooperation in space technology, involving Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report