# Sfera

> small passive satellite deployed during a spacewalk from the ISS in August 2012

**Wikidata**: [Q118377](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118377)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sfera_(calibration_satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sfera-q118377

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Sfera**:

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## Summary  
Sfera is a small passive satellite deployed during a spacewalk from the International Space Station (ISS) in August 2012. It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket and is classified as a calibration satellite.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: August 1, 2012 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1998-067CM  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Satellite Class**: Small satellite (generally under 1,200 kg)  
- **Deployment Method**: Released during a spacewalk from the ISS  
- **Alternative Name**: Сфера (Cyrillic)  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch on August 1, 2012 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was Sfera's purpose?  
A: Sfera was a passive calibration satellite, likely used for testing or validating tracking systems from the ISS.  

### Q: How was Sfera launched?  
A: It was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket and later deployed during a spacewalk from the ISS.  

### Q: Is Sfera still operational?  
A: As a passive satellite, it likely had no active systems and served its purpose shortly after deployment.  

## Why It Matters  
Sfera represents a practical use of the ISS as a platform for deploying small satellites. Its passive nature suggests it was designed for short-term calibration or experimental purposes, contributing to space-based research without requiring complex onboard systems. Such deployments demonstrate the versatility of the ISS in supporting secondary missions beyond its primary role as a habitable laboratory.  

## Notable For  
- **Passive Design**: Unlike active satellites, Sfera relied on external systems for tracking or calibration.  
- **ISS Deployment**: One of many small satellites released from the ISS, showcasing its utility as a launch platform.  
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: Part of a long lineage of reliable Soviet/Russian rocket launches.  

## Body  
### Deployment and Launch  
- Deployed during an ISS spacewalk in August 2012.  
- Launched aboard Soyuz-U, a variant of the Soyuz rocket family.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class**: Small satellite (<1,200 kg).  
- **Status**: Passive (no active systems).  

### Identification  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1998-067CM.  
- **Alternative Name**: Сфера (used in Russian-language contexts).  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if further refinements are needed!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report