# SUCHAI

> first artificial satellite designed and developed locally in Chile

**Wikidata**: [Q21003663](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21003663)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/suchai

## Summary
SUCHAI is the first artificial satellite designed and developed locally in Chile. It is a CubeSat technology demonstration spacecraft weighing 1 kilogram, launched on June 23, 2017.

## Key Facts
- SUCHAI is the first artificial satellite designed and developed locally in Chile
- It is a CubeSat technology demonstration spacecraft
- It has a mass of 1 kilogram
- It was launched on June 23, 2017 at 03:59
- It was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad
- The launch vehicle was a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-C38)
- Its operator and manufacturer is the Space and Planetary Exploration Laboratory
- It has the COSPAR ID 2017-036Z
- It's also known as "Satellite of the University of Chile for Aerospace Investigation"

## FAQs
### Q: What is SUCHAI?
A: SUCHAI is the first artificial satellite designed and developed locally in Chile. It's a small CubeSat technology demonstration spacecraft weighing just 1 kilogram, launched on June 23, 2017.

### Q: What was the purpose of SUCHAI?
A: SUCHAI served as a technology demonstration spacecraft, allowing Chile to test satellite technologies developed locally by the Space and Planetary Exploration Laboratory.

### Q: How was SUCHAI launched?
A: SUCHAI was launched on June 23, 2017 at 03:59 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-C38).

### Q: Who developed SUCHAI?
A: SUCHAI was developed by the Space and Planetary Exploration Laboratory, which also operates the satellite.

## Why It Matters
SUCHAI represents a significant milestone in Chile's space program, marking the country's first domestically developed satellite. As a CubeSat, it exemplifies the trend of democratizing space exploration, allowing nations with limited resources to access space. The project successfully demonstrated Chile's technical capability to design, develop, and operate a spacecraft, paving the way for future Chilean space missions. Additionally, SUCHAI serves as an educational platform, inspiring Chilean students and researchers to pursue careers in aerospace engineering and related fields. By successfully launching and operating SUCHAI, Chile joined the growing list of countries with their own space capabilities, enhancing the nation's technological standing and opening doors for collaboration with other space agencies.

## Notable For
- First artificial satellite designed and developed locally in Chile
- As a CubeSat, demonstrates the capability to perform meaningful missions with minimal resources
- Successfully launched by Chile's own Space and Planetary Exploration Laboratory
- Part of Chile's entry into the space exploration community
- Serves as a technological and educational achievement for Chile's aerospace sector

## Body

### Basic Information
- Full Name: Satellite of the University of Chile for Aerospace Investigation (SUCHAI)
- Type: CubeSat technology demonstration spacecraft
- Mass: 1 kilogram
- Country of Origin: Chile
- Developed and operated by: Space and Planetary Exploration Laboratory

### Mission Details
- Launch Date: June 23, 2017
- Launch Time: 03:59
- Launch Location: Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad
- Launch Vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-C38)
- Satellite Catalog Number: 42788
- COSPAR ID: 2017-036Z
- NSSDCA ID: 2017-036Z

### Technical Specifications
- Class: CubeSat (miniaturized satellite made up of 10cm-sided cubic modules)
- Purpose: Technology demonstration
- Manufacturer: Space and Planetary Exploration Laboratory
- Operator: Space and Planetary Exploration Laboratory
- Language Resources: Has Wikipedia page in Spanish language
- Online Presence: Image available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/SUCHAI.jpg

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/suchai.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report