# SUNSAT

> amateur radio satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q749984](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q749984)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUNSAT)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sunsat

## Summary
SUNSAT is an amateur radio satellite launched by South Africa on February 23, 1999. It was the first satellite built by a South African university, representing a significant milestone for the country's space program.

## Key Facts
- SUNSAT was launched on February 23, 1999, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2
- It was launched using a Delta II launch vehicle
- SUNSAT has a COSPAR ID of 1999-008C
- The satellite has an SCN (Satellite Catalog Number) of 25636
- It belongs to the class of amateur radio satellites and is an artificial satellite of Earth
- SUNSAT has Wikipedia available in 10 languages: Afrikaans, German, English, Spanish, Galician, Italian, Japanese, Latgalian, Dutch, and Russian

## FAQs
### Q: Which university built SUNSAT?
A: The source material does not specify which university built SUNSAT, but it confirms it was South Africa's first university-built satellite.

### Q: What was the purpose of SUNSAT?
A: As an amateur radio satellite, SUNSAT's purpose was to facilitate amateur radio communications, though specific technical details about its communications capabilities are not provided in the source material.

### Q: Was SUNSAT the first satellite from Africa?
A: While SUNSAT was the first satellite built by a South African university, the source material does not specify whether it was Africa's first satellite overall.

## Why It Matters
SUNSAT represents a significant achievement in South Africa's space program, marking the country's entry into satellite development by an academic institution. As an amateur radio satellite, it contributed to the global network of satellites enabling amateur radio operators to communicate over long distances. The fact that it was built by a university demonstrates the growing role of educational institutions in space technology development and provides a foundation for future space projects in South Africa and similar developing nations.

## Notable For
- Being the first satellite built by a South African university
- Launching on February 23, 1999, aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2
- Having its Wikipedia content available in 10 different languages, indicating international interest
- Having a dedicated Wolfram Language entity code (Entity["Satellite", "25636"]) for computational access

## Body
### Basic Information
SUNSAT is an artificial satellite of Earth and specifically classified as an amateur radio satellite. It was launched on February 23, 1999, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 in California, USA.

### Technical Specifications
- SCN: 25636
- COSPAR ID: 1999-008C
- Freebase ID: /m/0b7_st
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "25636"]

### Launch Details
- Launch date: February 23, 1999
- Launch vehicle: Delta II
- Launch location: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2
- Significant event: Rocket launch on February 23, 1999, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2

### Digital Presence
- SUNSAT has a Wikipedia entry titled "SUNSAT"
- The Wikipedia article is available in 10 languages: Afrikaans, German, English, Spanish, Galician, Italian, Japanese, Latgalian, Dutch, and Russian
- The entity has 10 sitelinks across Wikipedia projects

### Classification
SUNSAT falls under two main classifications:
1. Artificial satellite of Earth
2. Amateur radio satellite

These classifications define its purpose as a spacecraft orbiting Earth designed specifically for amateur radio transmissions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013