# TechEdSat 1

> American experimental satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1383373](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1383373)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/techedsat-1

## Summary
TechEdSat 1 (also known as TES-1) was a 1-kilogram American experimental satellite designed to demonstrate new space technologies. Launched on July 21, 2012, it was a collaborative project involving NASA's Ames Research Center, San José State University, and ÅAC Microtec. The spacecraft re-entered Earth's atmosphere and decayed on May 5, 2013.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** TechEdSat 1 is a CubeSat and a technology demonstration spacecraft.
- **Launch Date:** July 21, 2012, at 02:06:18 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** H-IIB (specifically the H-IIB-F3 configuration).
- **Launch Site:** Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 2.
- **Mass:** 1 kilogram (launch weight).
- **End of Mission:** Atmospheric entry occurred on May 5, 2013.
- **Operators & Manufacturers:** Ames Research Center, San José State University, and ÅAC Microtec.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1998-067CQ; NSSDCA ID 2012-038D; SCN 38854.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of TechEdSat 1?
A: TechEdSat 1 was a technology demonstration spacecraft. Its primary role was to serve as an experimental platform to test new technologies in space.

### Q: Who built and operated TechEdSat 1?
A: The satellite was a joint effort manufactured and operated by the Ames Research Center, San José State University, and ÅAC Microtec.

### Q: How long did TechEdSat 1 remain in orbit?
A: The satellite launched on July 21, 2012, and underwent atmospheric entry on May 5, 2013, resulting in a mission duration of approximately nine and a half months.

## Why It Matters
TechEdSat 1 represents a significant model for space exploration through its implementation as a CubeSat, a miniaturized satellite format that allows for more cost-effective and accessible space missions. Weighing only 1 kilogram, the spacecraft demonstrated that complex technology validation could be performed on a smaller scale compared to traditional satellites.

The mission is also notable for its collaborative structure. By combining resources and expertise from a government agency (NASA's Ames Research Center), academia (San José State University), and private industry (ÅAC Microtec), TechEdSat 1 exemplifies the growing trend of public-private partnerships in the aerospace sector. This approach facilitates the development of experimental technologies—such as those potentially tested on this mission—while providing hands-on educational experience for university students. Its launch aboard the Japanese H-IIB rocket further highlights the international cooperation and multi-use capability of modern launch systems.

## Notable For
- **Miniaturization:** Being a CubeSat (a class of miniaturized satellites made of 10cm-sided cubic modules) with a mass of only 1 kilogram.
- **Public-Private-Academic Partnership:** A successful collaboration between NASA, a state university, and a private microtechnology company.
- **Technology Demonstration:** Serving specifically as a platform to demonstrate experimental spacecraft technologies.
- **Rapid Development Cycle:** As a CubeSat, it represents the category of spacecraft often associated with faster development times and lower costs.

## Body

### Development and Ownership
TechEdSat 1 was an American spacecraft classified as both a CubeSat and a technology demonstration spacecraft. It was developed and operated through a partnership between three main entities: the Ames Research Center (a NASA facility), San José State University, and ÅAC Microtec. The satellite is also referred to by the aliases TES-1 and TECH-ED-SAT.

### Physical Specifications
The spacecraft adhered to the CubeSat standard, consisting of miniaturized cubic modules. Its launch weight was recorded as exactly 1 kilogram.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on July 21, 2012, at 02:06:18 UTC. The launch vehicle used was the H-IIB, specifically the H-IIB-F3 configuration, which is a Japanese expendable launch system. The launch originated from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 2.

### Mission Trajectory and Decay
Following its launch, TechEdSat 1 was tracked with the COSPAR ID 1998-067CQ and the NSSDCA ID 2012-038D. The spacecraft's orbit decayed roughly nine months after launch. The recorded time of object orbit decay (atmospheric entry) was May 5, 2013.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/techedsat.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=2012-038D)
4. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=38854)