# Stanford Audiophonic Photographic Infrared Experiment

> amateur radio satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6121701](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6121701)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAPPHIRE)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stanford-audiophonic-photographic-infrared-experiment

## Summary
Stanford Audiophonic Photographic Infrared Experiment (commonly known as SAPPHIRE) is an amateur radio satellite and technology demonstration spacecraft. It was launched on 2001-09-30 from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska on an Athena I launch vehicle (COSPAR ID 2001-043D).

## Key Facts
- Stanford Audiophonic Photographic Infrared Experiment (alias SAPPHIRE; also listed as Navy-Q2008094 45) is classified as an amateur radio satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft.
- Launch date: 2001-09-30.
- Launch site: Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska.
- Launch vehicle: Athena I (an American expendable launch system).
- COSPAR ID: 2001-043D.
- Spacecraft catalog number (SCN): 26932.
- Significant event: rocket launch from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska on 2001-09-30.
- Wikimedia Commons category: SAPPHIRE; images available (example files: Athena_1_rocket_launching_from_Kodiak_Island.jpg and Kodiak-Star_1_(cropped).jpg).
- Wikipedia title: SAPPHIRE; Wikipedia/Commons language coverage includes commons, de, en, es, gl.
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/121w1gy8.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Stanford Audiophonic Photographic Infrared Experiment?
A: It is an amateur radio satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft known by the short name SAPPHIRE. Its name indicates a focus on audiophonic, photographic, and infrared experimentation.

### Q: When and how was SAPPHIRE launched?
A: SAPPHIRE was launched on 2001-09-30 from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska aboard an Athena I launch vehicle.

### Q: What identifiers are used for this satellite?
A: The satellite's COSPAR ID is 2001-043D and its spacecraft catalog number (SCN) is 26932.

### Q: Under what other names is it known?
A: It is also known by the aliases SAPPHIRE and Navy-Q2008094 45.

## Why It Matters
SAPPHIRE represents a class of small spacecraft that combine amateur radio outreach with technology demonstration objectives. As an amateur radio satellite, it contributes to the amateur radio community by operating as a satellite-based communications or telemetry platform. As a technology demonstration spacecraft, it is intended to validate or exercise experimental systems or payload concepts in orbit. The satellite’s name — Stanford Audiophonic Photographic Infrared Experiment — indicates an intended emphasis on audiophonic, photographic, and infrared experimentation, signaling multidisciplinary test objectives. Its 2001 launch on an Athena I from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska places it within early-2000s demonstrations of small-satellite capabilities and rideshare or secondary-payload mission architectures. The combination of amateur radio functionality and experimental payloads makes SAPPHIRE relevant to both hobbyist operators and technology developers seeking orbital testbeds.

## Notable For
- Being classified simultaneously as an amateur radio satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft.
- Launch on 2001-09-30 from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska aboard an Athena I launch vehicle.
- COSPAR designation 2001-043D and spacecraft catalog number 26932.
- Known publicly by the short name SAPPHIRE and the alias Navy-Q2008094 45.
- Presence in Wikimedia Commons and coverage under the Wikipedia title "SAPPHIRE" (multiple language entries).

## Body
### Overview
- Official name: Stanford Audiophonic Photographic Infrared Experiment.
- Common name / Wikipedia title: SAPPHIRE.
- Described as an amateur radio satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft.

### Classification and identifiers
- Instance of: amateur radio satellite; technology demonstration spacecraft.
- COSPAR ID: 2001-043D.
- Spacecraft catalog number (SCN): 26932.
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/121w1gy8.

### Launch details
- Launch date: 2001-09-30.
- Launch site / start point: Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska.
- Launch vehicle: Athena I (identified as an American expendable launch system).
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch from Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska on 2001-09-30.

### Names, aliases, and public records
- Aliases: SAPPHIRE; Navy-Q2008094 45.
- Wikimedia Commons category: SAPPHIRE.
- Wikipedia title: SAPPHIRE; language coverage includes commons, de, en, es, gl.
- Public images associated: Athena_1_rocket_launching_from_Kodiak_Island.jpg and Kodiak-Star_1_(cropped).jpg.

### Role and intended purpose
- Classified as a technology demonstration spacecraft — used to demonstrate experimental technologies in orbit.
- Classified as an amateur radio satellite — a type of satellite that transmits amateur radio.
- The full name suggests a focus on audiophonic, photographic, and infrared experiments (as indicated by the entity name).

### Metadata
- Sitely/knowledge links: sitelink_count 5.
- Wikimedia and Wikipedia references available under the commons category and multiple language pages.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report