# Sphinx

> American test satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1373585](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1373585)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphinx_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sphinx-q1373585

## Summary
Sphinx is an American test satellite operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was launched on 1974-02-11 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 aboard a Titan IIIE launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
- Sphinx is an American test satellite operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- Sphinx was launched on 1974-02-11.
- The launch vehicle for Sphinx was a Titan IIIE.
- The launch start point was Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- Sphinx is classified as an artificial satellite.
- The event associated with Sphinx is a rocket launch on 1974-02-11 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- Freebase identifier for Sphinx: /m/051t0b.
- Common online references: wikipedia title "Sphinx (satellite)" and Commons category "Sphinx (satellite)".
- Wikimedia Commons image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sphinx_satellite.jpg.
- Language links available for the topic: commons, de, en, it.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Sphinx?
A: Sphinx is an American test satellite operated by NASA. It is classified as an artificial satellite.

### Q: When and where was Sphinx launched?
A: Sphinx was launched on 1974-02-11 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

### Q: What launch vehicle carried Sphinx into orbit?
A: Sphinx was launched aboard a Titan IIIE launch vehicle.

### Q: Who operated the Sphinx satellite?
A: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operated Sphinx.

## Why It Matters
Sphinx matters as a named NASA-operated test satellite launched in the early 1970s. As an artificial test satellite, it represents part of NASA's programmatic activity to deploy and evaluate space hardware and missions during that period. Its launch on 1974-02-11 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 aboard a Titan IIIE places it within the historical context of U.S. expendable launch vehicle operations and satellite testing activities. The satellite is recorded in public reference systems (for example, Freebase and Wikipedia) and has a dedicated media presence on Wikimedia Commons, which preserves imagery and categorization for researchers and the public. For those tracing technology development, launch histories, or NASA mission registers, Sphinx is a documented example of a 1970s American test satellite mission.

## Notable For
- Being an American test satellite explicitly operated by NASA.
- Having a recorded launch date of 1974-02-11.
- Launching from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- Using the Titan IIIE as its launch vehicle.
- Presence in public reference systems (Freebase ID /m/051t0b) and on Wikimedia Commons.

## Body

### Overview
- Name: Sphinx.
- Description: American test satellite.
- Operator: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- Classification: Artificial satellite.

### Launch details
- Launch date: 1974-02-11.
- Launch start point: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- Launch vehicle: Titan IIIE.
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch on 1974-02-11 at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

### Identifiers and public resources
- Freebase ID: /m/051t0b.
- Wikipedia title: "Sphinx (satellite)".
- Wikimedia Commons category: "Sphinx (satellite)".
- Available image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sphinx_satellite.jpg.
- Available language links for the topic: commons, de, en, it.

### Classification context
- Instance of: artificial satellite.
- Related launch vehicle class: Titan IIIE (model of Titan III launch vehicle).

### Documentation notes
- The satellite is documented in public reference collections and media repositories.
- Recorded metadata includes launch date, launch site, operator, and launch vehicle.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report