# SpriteSat

> Japanese atmospheric research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q11244244](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11244244)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/spritesat

## Summary
SpriteSat is a Japanese atmospheric research microsatellite developed by Tohoku University to observe sprites and related upper-atmosphere phenomena. It is a 50 kg research satellite launched into a Sun-synchronous orbit on 2009-01-23 aboard an H-IIA (H-IIA-15) rocket from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.

## Key Facts
- SpriteSat is a Japanese atmospheric research satellite and microsatellite developed by Tohoku University.  
- Mass: 50 kilogram.  
- COSPAR ID: 2009-002C.  
- SCN (satellite catalog number): 33494.  
- Launch date and time: 2009-01-23 at 03:54 (qualifier time).  
- Launch vehicle: H-IIA, variant H-IIA-15.  
- Launch site: Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.  
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit.  
- Developer / owner: Tohoku University.  
- Aliases: Sprite-Sat; Raijin; Tohoku University Sprite Observation Satellite; スプライト観測衛星.  
- Official website: https://astro.mech.tohoku.ac.jp/SPRITE-SAT/ (Japanese).  
- Additional identifiers: NSSDCA ID 2009-002C; Google Knowledge Graph ID /g/120zjsfv; Wolfram Language entity Entity["Satellite", "33494"].

## FAQs
### Q: What is SpriteSat?
A: SpriteSat is a 50 kg Japanese atmospheric research microsatellite developed by Tohoku University to observe sprites and related upper-atmosphere phenomena. It was launched into a Sun-synchronous orbit on 2009-01-23.

### Q: When and how was SpriteSat launched?
A: SpriteSat was launched on 2009-01-23 at 03:54 UTC. The satellite rode to orbit on an H-IIA launch vehicle (H-IIA-15) from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.

### Q: What orbit does SpriteSat operate in?
A: SpriteSat operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit, as recorded in its mission data and identification entries.

### Q: Who developed SpriteSat?
A: SpriteSat was developed by Tohoku University and is identified in mission records with COSPAR ID 2009-002C.

## Why It Matters
SpriteSat represents a focused, university-led effort to study upper-atmospheric electrical phenomena using a small, dedicated microsatellite platform. As a 50 kg research satellite developed by Tohoku University and launched on a Japanese H-IIA vehicle, SpriteSat embodies the application of compact spacecraft to targeted scientific objectives in atmospheric research. Its mission identity and aliases indicate a specific emphasis on sprite observation, making it a specialized asset within the broader class of research satellites. The satellite’s placement into a Sun-synchronous orbit on 2009-01-23 enabled the mission to operate from a stable orbital regime commonly used for Earth-observing science. SpriteSat also illustrates the role of national university programs in designing and fielding spaceborne instruments, contributing mission data and operational experience under recognized international identifiers (COSPAR, SCN, NSSDCA). Its existence provides an example of how microsatellites can be deployed for focused atmospheric science tasks within coordinated launch campaigns.

## Notable For
- Being a university-developed atmospheric research microsatellite (Tohoku University).  
- Small mass platform: 50 kg microsatellite design.  
- Targeted role in sprite observation (aliases include Tohoku University Sprite Observation Satellite and スプライト観測衛星).  
- Launched on 2009-01-23 aboard an H-IIA (H-IIA-15) from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.  
- Registered international identifiers: COSPAR ID 2009-002C and SCN 33494.

## Body
### Development and purpose
- Developer: Tohoku University.  
- Primary role: atmospheric research with emphasis on sprite observation (aliases include SpriteObservation Satellite / スプライト観測衛星).  
- Instance: classified as a research satellite and a microsatellite.

### Physical characteristics
- Mass: 50 kilogram.  
- Platform class: microsatellite (miniaturized satellite generally under 100–200 kg).

### Launch and orbital details
- Launch date: 2009-01-23.  
- Launch time qualifier: 03:54 (as recorded).  
- Launch vehicle: H-IIA, variant noted as H-IIA-15.  
- Launch site: Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.  
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch from Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1 on 2009-01-23.  
- Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit.

### Identifiers and registry data
- COSPAR ID: 2009-002C.  
- NSSDCA ID: 2009-002C.  
- SCN: 33494.  
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/120zjsfv.  
- Wolfram Language entity: Entity["Satellite", "33494"].  
- Wikidata description: Japanese atmospheric research satellite.

### Names and references
- Aliases: Sprite-Sat; Raijin; Tohoku University Sprite Observation Satellite; スプライト観測衛星.  
- Official website: https://astro.mech.tohoku.ac.jp/SPRITE-SAT/ (Japanese).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://astro.mech.tohoku.ac.jp/SPRITE-SAT/SPRITE-SAT-Abstract_j.pdf)