# Spei Satelles > cubesat; the Vatican's first satellite **Wikidata**: [Q119457151](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q119457151) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spei_Satelles) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/spei-satelles ## Summary Spei Satelles is the Vatican's first satellite, launched in 2023. It is a CubeSat, a miniaturized satellite made up of 10cm-sided cubic modules, designed to demonstrate experimental technologies. The spacecraft was developed by the Polytechnic University of Turin and operated by the same institution. ## Key Facts - **First Vatican satellite**: Spei Satelles is the Vatican's first satellite, marking a historic milestone for the Holy See. - **CubeSat design**: It is a 1U CubeSat with dimensions of 10 cm × 10 cm × 34 cm, weighing 3 kilograms. - **Technology demonstration**: The spacecraft is classified as a technology demonstration spacecraft, used to test experimental technologies. - **Launch details**: Spei Satelles was launched on June 12, 2023, at 21:35 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. - **Orbit**: The satellite operates in a sun-synchronous orbit. - **Communication protocol**: It uses the Amateur X.25 protocol and operates on a frequency of 437.5 MHz. - **Power source**: Spei Satelles is powered by a solar cell panel. - **Manufacturer and operator**: The satellite was manufactured and operated by the Polytechnic University of Turin. - **Country of origin**: The satellite's country of origin is Italy, despite being operated by the Vatican. - **Launch contractor**: SpaceX served as the launch contractor for the mission. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Spei Satelles? A: Spei Satelles is the Vatican's first satellite, launched in 2023. It is a CubeSat designed to demonstrate experimental technologies, developed by the Polytechnic University of Turin. ### Q: When was Spei Satelles launched? A: Spei Satelles was launched on June 12, 2023, at 21:35 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. ### Q: What type of satellite is Spei Satelles? A: Spei Satelles is a 1U CubeSat, a miniaturized satellite made up of 10cm-sided cubic modules, with dimensions of 10 cm × 10 cm × 34 cm and a mass of 3 kilograms. ### Q: Who developed Spei Satelles? A: Spei Satelles was developed by the Polytechnic University of Turin and operated by the same institution. ### Q: What is the purpose of Spei Satelles? A: Spei Satelles is a technology demonstration spacecraft designed to test experimental technologies in space. ## Why It Matters Spei Satelles represents a significant milestone for the Vatican, marking its entry into the realm of space exploration. As the first satellite operated by the Holy See, it underscores the Vatican's commitment to scientific and technological innovation. The mission demonstrates the potential for religious institutions to engage in space research, potentially opening new avenues for interfaith collaboration and scientific discovery. Additionally, the satellite's CubeSat design makes it an accessible platform for testing new technologies, contributing to the broader field of space exploration. By leveraging private launch services, the mission also highlights the growing role of commercial spaceflight in enabling scientific and educational endeavors. ## Notable For - **First Vatican satellite**: Spei Satelles is the Vatican's first satellite, representing a historic achievement for the Holy See. - **CubeSat innovation**: As a 1U CubeSat, it exemplifies the use of miniaturized satellites for technology demonstration. - **Commercial launch**: The mission utilized a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, showcasing the growing role of private spaceflight in enabling scientific missions. - **Sun-synchronous orbit**: The satellite's orbit ensures consistent lighting conditions, which is beneficial for many scientific and observational purposes. - **Amateur X.25 protocol**: The use of this communication protocol highlights the satellite's educational and experimental nature. ## Body ### Overview Spei Satelles is a 1U CubeSat developed by the Polytechnic University of Turin and operated by the same institution. The satellite was launched on June 12, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. It is the Vatican's first satellite, marking a significant milestone for the Holy See in the field of space exploration. ### Design and Specifications Spei Satelles is a miniaturized satellite with dimensions of 10 cm × 10 cm × 34 cm and a mass of 3 kilograms. It is powered by a solar cell panel and operates in a sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite uses the Amateur X.25 protocol for communication and operates on a frequency of 437.5 MHz. ### Mission and Purpose The primary purpose of Spei Satelles is to serve as a technology demonstration spacecraft. It is designed to test and demonstrate experimental technologies in space. The mission highlights the Vatican's commitment to scientific and technological innovation and opens new possibilities for interfaith collaboration in space research. ### Launch and Operation Spei Satelles was launched on June 12, 2023, at 21:35 UTC. The launch was conducted by SpaceX using a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. The satellite is operated by the Polytechnic University of Turin, which also served as its manufacturer. The mission underscores the growing role of commercial spaceflight in enabling scientific and educational endeavors. ### Historical Context Spei Satelles represents a historic achievement for the Vatican, as it is the first satellite operated by the Holy See. The mission demonstrates the potential for religious institutions to engage in space exploration and contributes to the broader field of space technology. The satellite's CubeSat design makes it an accessible platform for testing new technologies, furthering the goals of scientific discovery and innovation. ## References 1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/spei-satelles.htm) 2. [Source](https://investors.terranorbital.com/news/news-details/2023/Terran-Orbital-supervises-Italian-students-building-satellite-for-first-Vatican-space-mission/default.aspx) 3. Jonathan's Space Report 4. [Source](https://www.speisatelles.org/en/site/tecnica) 5. SATCAT