# Seeker

> CubeSat built to demonstrate inspection of other spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q73389119](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73389119)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeker_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/seeker

## Summary
Seeker was a CubeSat designed to demonstrate the inspection of other spacecraft. Built by NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, it operated in low Earth orbit from 2019 to 2023, showcasing technologies for autonomous spacecraft inspection before deorbiting.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: CubeSat and technology demonstration spacecraft.
- **Launch Date**: April 17, 2019, aboard an Antares rocket (Cygnus NG-11 mission).
- **Dimensions**: 10 cm × 10 cm × 30 cm (1U × 3U CubeSat form factor).
- **Mass**: 4.2 kg.
- **Operator**: NASA (Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center).
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit (LEO), with a periapsis of 464.432 km and apoapsis of 480.532 km.
- **Power Source**: Four 18650 lithium-ion batteries (35 Wh capacity).
- **Mission Duration**: Retired on September 16, 2019; deorbited on December 5, 2023.
- **Aliases**: Also known as "Kenobi" and "Seeker Robotic External CubeSat Inspection Vehicle DTO."

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Seeker CubeSat?
A: Seeker was built to demonstrate autonomous inspection capabilities for other spacecraft, testing technologies like guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems in orbit.

### Q: Who built and operated Seeker?
A: It was manufactured by NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, with subcontractors including the Cockrell School of Engineering and Carbon (a programming language company).

### Q: How long was Seeker in orbit?
A: Seeker was launched on April 17, 2019, retired on September 16, 2019, and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on December 5, 2023.

### Q: What were Seeker's key specifications?
A: It measured 10×10×30 cm, weighed 4.2 kg, and operated in a near-circular LEO with an inclination of 51.64 degrees.

### Q: What happened to Seeker after its mission?
A: After retirement, it remained in orbit until December 5, 2023, when it underwent atmospheric entry and burned up.

## Why It Matters
Seeker represented a critical step in advancing autonomous spacecraft inspection technologies. As a CubeSat, it demonstrated how small, cost-effective satellites could perform complex tasks like inspecting larger spacecraft or space stations. This capability is vital for future missions requiring in-space servicing, repair, or monitoring of satellites and other orbital assets. By validating guidance, navigation, and control systems in a real-world environment, Seeker contributed to NASA's broader goals of developing robotic systems for space operations. Its mission also highlighted the growing role of CubeSats in technology demonstration, paving the way for more ambitious projects in orbital robotics and autonomous systems.

## Notable For
- **First-of-its-kind mission**: One of the earliest CubeSats specifically designed for autonomous spacecraft inspection.
- **Compact design**: Fit within a 3U CubeSat form factor (10×10×30 cm) while carrying advanced GNC systems.
- **Rapid development**: Built and deployed by NASA's Johnson Space Center with academic and industry collaboration.
- **Short operational lifespan**: Completed its primary mission in under six months before retirement.
- **Contribution to orbital robotics**: Provided valuable data for future missions involving autonomous inspection and servicing.

## Body
### Overview
Seeker was a CubeSat developed by NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center to test technologies for inspecting other spacecraft. Classified as both a CubeSat and a technology demonstration spacecraft, it was part of a broader effort to advance robotic systems for in-space operations.

### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Date**: April 17, 2019, at 20:46:07 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Antares rocket (Northrop Grumman) as part of the Cygnus NG-11 resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
- **Deployment Location**: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0.
- **Orbit Insertion**: Seeker was jettisoned from the ISS on September 16, 2019, marking the start of its independent mission.

### Technical Specifications
- **Dimensions**: 10 cm (width) × 10 cm (height) × 30 cm (length), conforming to the 3U CubeSat standard.
- **Mass**: 4.2 kg.
- **Power System**: Four 18650 lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 35 Wh.
- **Orbital Parameters**:
  - Periapsis: 464.432 km.
  - Apoapsis: 480.532 km.
  - Inclination: 51.6395 degrees.
  - Eccentricity: 0.00117510.
  - Semi-major axis: 6,850.617 km.

### Mission and Objectives
Seeker's primary goal was to demonstrate autonomous inspection capabilities, including:
- **Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC)**: Testing systems for proximity operations near other spacecraft.
- **Imaging and Sensors**: Capturing data to assess the condition of target spacecraft.
- **Robotic Inspection**: Validating technologies for future missions involving satellite servicing or repair.

### Mission Timeline
- **April 17, 2019**: Launched aboard Cygnus NG-11.
- **September 16, 2019**: Jettisoned from the ISS and began independent operations.
- **September 16, 2019**: Officially retired after completing its mission objectives.
- **December 5, 2023**: Re-entered Earth's atmosphere, ending its orbital lifespan.

### Collaborators and Manufacturers
- **Primary Manufacturer**: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (NASA).
- **Subcontractors**:
  - Cockrell School of Engineering (University of Texas at Austin).
  - Carbon (programming language company), contributing to software or systems development.

### Legacy and Impact
Seeker's mission provided critical insights into the feasibility of using small satellites for autonomous inspection tasks. Its success helped validate technologies that could be applied to future missions, such as:
- **On-orbit servicing**: Repairing or refueling satellites.
- **Debris monitoring**: Tracking and assessing space debris.
- **Space station maintenance**: Inspecting external structures of the ISS or other orbital habitats.

## Schema Markup
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  "description": "CubeSat built to demonstrate inspection of other spacecraft.",
  "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7600",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q65064735",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeker_(spacecraft)"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2231470",  // CubeSat
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184564"    // Technology demonstration spacecraft
  ],
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center"
  },
  "dateCreated": "2019-04-17",
  "dateModified": "2019-09-16",
  "dateDeleted": "2023-12-05",
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## References

1. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2019-022K)
2. [Source](https://sites.utexas.edu/tsl/seeker/)
3. [Source](https://www.carbon3d.com/resources/nasa-seeker-x-tth-powered-by-carbon/)
4. [Source](https://www.space-track.org/basicspacedata/query/class/satcat/NORAD_CAT_ID/44533/format/html/emptyresult/show)
5. Jonathan's Space Report
6. [Source](https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4450&context=smallsat)
7. [Source](https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/iss/ng-11-cygnus-begins-3-month-iss-stay/)
8. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=44533)
9. [Source](https://roundupreads.jsc.nasa.gov/pages.ashx/991/QA%20Seeker%20and%20NASA%20shall%20find)
10. [Source](https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/seeker)
11. [Source](https://www.space-track.org/basicspacedata/query/class/gp/NORAD_CAT_ID/44533/format/xml/emptyresult/show)
12. [Source](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330969667_Seeker_Free-Flying_Inspector_GNC_System_Overview)