# Space Travelling Egg-Controlled Catadioptric Object
**Wikidata**: [Q115563191](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115563191)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/space-travelling-egg-controlled-catadioptric-object

## Summary
Space Travelling Egg-Controlled Catadioptric Object (STECCO) is an Italian amateur radio satellite built by Sapienza University of Rome. Weighing 0.85 kg, it was launched on March 22, 2021, aboard a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome and is currently inactive.

## Key Facts
- Official name: STECCO (Space Travelling Egg-Controlled Catadioptric Object)
- Launch date: March 22, 2021
- Operator and designer: Sapienza University of Rome
- Country: Italy
- Satellite class: Amateur radio satellite
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-2.1a
- Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome
- Mass: 0.85 kg
- COSPAR ID: 2021-022AG
- Status: Inactive

## FAQs
### Q: What is STECCO?
A: STECCO is an Italian amateur radio satellite designed and operated by Sapienza University of Rome. It serves as a platform for amateur radio experimentation and research in space technology.

### Q: When was STECCO launched?
A: STECCO was launched on March 22, 2021, using a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: What are STECCO's orbital characteristics?
A: It orbits Earth with an apoapsis of 549.8 km, periapsis of 529.0 km, orbital period of 95.3 minutes, and inclination of 98.0 degrees.

### Q: Who built STECCO?
A: STECCO was designed and built by Sapienza University of Rome, with Italy as its country of origin.

## Why It Matters
STECCO represents a significant achievement in university-level satellite engineering, demonstrating the feasibility of small-scale space missions for educational and research purposes. As an amateur radio satellite, it enables low-cost experimentation with space communication technologies while inspiring next-generation aerospace engineers. Its development highlights Italy's growing role in space innovation and provides a template for other academic institutions pursuing similar projects.

## Notable For
- Being a university-built satellite with a sub-1 kg mass
- Launch as a secondary payload on a Soyuz-2.1a rocket
- Unique "egg-controlled" catadioptric optical design for experimental purposes
- Development entirely within Sapienza University of Rome's resources
- Mission serving as a testbed for amateur radio protocols in orbit

## Body
### Overview
Space Travelling Egg-Controlled Catadioptric Object (STECCO) is an Italian amateur radio satellite developed by Sapienza University of Rome. It operates under the COSPAR identifier 2021-022AG and belongs to the amateur radio satellite class. The satellite is currently inactive.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 0.85 kg  
- **Dimensions**: Egg-shaped with catadioptric optical design  
- **Status**: Inactive  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2021-022AG  

### Mission Profile
- **Operator**: Sapienza University of Rome  
- **Designed by**: Sapienza University of Rome  
- **Country**: Italy  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-2.1a  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome  

### Orbital Parameters
- **Apogee**: 549.8 km  
- **Perigee**: 529.0 km  
- **Orbital Period**: 95.3 minutes  
- **Inclination**: 98.0 degrees  
- **Parent Body**: Earth  

### Development History
STECCO was conceived and constructed entirely within Sapienza University of Rome's research infrastructure. It launched as part of the Soyuz-2.1a mission series and featured unique experimental optics. Despite its technical capabilities, the satellite is no longer operational.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://sites.google.com/uniroma1.it/stecco-sia/home?authuser=0)
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=47943)
4. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=)