# SPARCS

> NASA-funded small satellite space telescope

**Wikidata**: [Q60847539](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60847539)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPARCS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sparcs

## Summary

SPARCS is a low-mass star[1].

## Summary
SPARCS (Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat) is a NASA-funded small satellite space telescope designed to study low-mass stars and their interactions with orbiting planets. It is a 6-unit CubeSat developed and operated by Arizona State University, launched aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket on January 11, 2026.

## Key Facts
- Official name: Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat  
- Short name: SPARCS  
- Launched: January 11, 2026 at 13:44:50 UTC  
- Launch site: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East  
- Launch vehicle: Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1097, Flight B1097.5)  
- Operator: Arizona State University  
- Funder: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)  
- Satellite class: 6U CubeSat in Sun-synchronous orbit  
- Instruments: 9 cm Ritchey–Chrétien telescope  
- Principal investigator: Evgenya Shkolnik  

## FAQs
### Q: What is SPARCS used for?
A: SPARCS is used to observe low-mass stars and study how stellar activity affects exoplanet atmospheres. Its mission contributes to understanding planetary habitability around smaller stars.

### Q: Who built and operates SPARCS?
A: SPARCS was developed by Arizona State University in collaboration with Blue Canyon Technologies (spacecraft bus), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (camera), and Hexagon AB (telescope). It is operated by ASU.

### Q: When was SPARCS launched?
A: SPARCS was launched on January 11, 2026, at 13:44:50 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket.

## Why It Matters
SPARCS plays a critical role in advancing our understanding of stellar-planetary systems, particularly those involving low-mass stars, which make up the majority of stars in the galaxy. By monitoring ultraviolet emissions from these stars, SPARCS helps scientists assess how stellar flares and radiation influence the atmospheric evolution of nearby exoplanets. This research is vital for determining the potential habitability of worlds beyond our solar system. As part of NASA’s SmallSat initiative, SPARCS also demonstrates how compact, cost-effective missions can deliver high-impact scientific results.

## Notable For
- First dedicated CubeSat mission to monitor UV emissions from low-mass stars  
- Collaboration between academia (ASU), aerospace firms (Blue Canyon), and government labs (JPL)  
- Integration of commercial off-the-shelf components into precision astrophysical instrumentation  
- Part of NASA's broader push toward small satellite platforms for space science  

## Body
### Mission Overview
SPARCS is a 6U CubeSat designed to conduct continuous ultraviolet observations of low-mass stars. The mission focuses on measuring stellar variability and flare activity that may affect the atmospheres of orbiting exoplanets.

### Development and Partnerships
The satellite was primarily developed by Arizona State University under NASA funding. Key subsystems were contributed by:
- **Blue Canyon Technologies**: Provided the spacecraft bus
- **Jet Propulsion Laboratory**: Supplied the imaging camera
- **Hexagon AB**: Delivered the Ritchey–Chrétien telescope

### Technical Specifications
- Volume: 6 CubeSat units (~6x10x10 cm each = ~6 liters total)
- Power: Two deployable solar arrays
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit around Earth
- Telescope: 9 cm Ritchey–Chrétien design optimized for UV sensitivity

### Launch Details
- Date: January 11, 2026
- Time: 13:44:50 UTC
- Site: Vandenberg SLC-4E
- Vehicle: Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1097; Flight Number B1097.5)
- COSPAR ID: 2026-004V (unconfirmed)

### Scientific Goals
- Monitor stellar activity in the UV spectrum
- Study the impact of stellar flares on planetary atmospheres
- Support larger exoplanet characterization efforts through complementary observational data

### Team and Leadership
Principal Investigator: Dr. Evgenya Shkolnik, Arizona State University  
Website: [https://sparcs.asu.edu](https://sparcs.asu.edu)

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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "SPARCS",
  "alternateName": "Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat",
  "description": "NASA-funded small satellite space telescope",
  "url": "https://sparcs.asu.edu/",
  "sameAs": [
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sparcs.htm)
2. [Source](https://sparcs.asu.edu/about)
3. [Source](https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/two-new-cubesats-to-monitor-nearby-stars-and-distant-black-holes/)
4. The Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS): A Mission to Understand the Impact of Stars in Exoplanets
5. [Source](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/exoplanets/nasas-pandora-satellite-cubesats-to-explore-exoplanets-beyond/)
6. [Source](https://uvex2023.caltech.edu/system/media_files/binaries/30/original/UVEX_Ardila_v2_-_David_Ardila.pdf)
7. Jonathan's Space Report
8. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/smallsatellites/2026/01/11/nasas-pandora-mission-cubesats-ready-for-flight/)
9. [Source](https://sparcs.asu.edu/team)