# SOMP 2b

> German technology demonstration and amateur radio satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q113633884](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113633884)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/somp-2b

## Summary  
SOMP 2b is a German technology demonstration and amateur radio satellite developed by TUD Dresden University of Technology. Launched in 2021, it is a CubeSat designed to test experimental technologies while providing amateur radio communications. It succeeded the failed SOMP 2 mission.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** January 24, 2021, at 15:00 UTC  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5 (serial number B1058)  
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40  
- **Mass:** 2 kilograms  
- **Operator:** TUD Dresden University of Technology  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2021-006AJ  
- **Classification:** CubeSat, technology demonstration spacecraft, amateur radio satellite  
- **Country of Origin:** Germany  
- **Preceded By:** SOMP 2 (failed mission)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the purpose of SOMP 2b?  
A: SOMP 2b serves as a technology demonstrator and amateur radio satellite, testing experimental technologies while enabling amateur radio communications.  

### Q: Who built and operates SOMP 2b?  
A: It was manufactured and is operated by TUD Dresden University of Technology in Germany.  

### Q: How was SOMP 2b launched?  
A: It was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 on January 24, 2021.  

## Why It Matters  
SOMP 2b represents Germany's continued investment in small satellite technology, particularly CubeSats, which offer cost-effective platforms for scientific and communication experiments. As a successor to the failed SOMP 2 mission, it demonstrates resilience in space technology development. Its dual role as a technology demonstrator and amateur radio satellite highlights the growing intersection between academic research and practical applications in space. The mission also contributes to the broader trend of universities and research institutions leveraging CubeSats for hands-on engineering education and low-cost space exploration.  

## Notable For  
- **Successor Mission:** Follows the failed SOMP 2, showcasing iterative improvement in satellite design.  
- **Dual Purpose:** Combines technology demonstration with amateur radio functionality.  
- **Lightweight Design:** At just 2 kg, it exemplifies the miniaturization capabilities of CubeSats.  
- **Academic Involvement:** Developed and operated by TUD Dresden University of Technology, emphasizing student and researcher participation.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date:** January 24, 2021  
- **Time:** 15:00 UTC  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5 (serial number B1058)  
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 2 kg  
- **Dimensions:** CubeSat standard (10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm or multiples thereof)  
- **Operator:** TUD Dresden University of Technology  
- **Country of Origin:** Germany  

### Mission Objectives  
- Technology demonstration for experimental systems.  
- Amateur radio communications.  

### Predecessor  
- **SOMP 2:** A failed mission with similar objectives, preceding SOMP 2b.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "SOMP 2b",
  "description": "German technology demonstration and amateur radio satellite",
  "sameAs": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110754000",
  "additionalType": ["CubeSat", "Technology demonstration spacecraft", "Amateur radio satellite"]
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/somp-2.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report