# United Kingdom Subsatellite

> United Kingdom satellite in the Explorer program

**Wikidata**: [Q18467804](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18467804)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMPTE-UKS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/united-kingdom-subsatellite

## Summary
The United Kingdom Subsatellite (UKS) was a British research satellite launched as part of NASA's Explorer program to study Earth's magnetosphere. It was deployed in 1984 as part of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) mission but failed in 1985 due to a power supply issue.

## Key Facts
- Launched on **August 16, 1984**, at **14:48 UTC** from **Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A**.
- Part of the **Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE)** mission, a collaborative project involving NASA, the UK, and Germany.
- Mass: **77 kg**, powered by a **spacecraft solar array**.
- Funded by the **Science and Engineering Research Council (UK)**.
- Failed on **January 15, 1985**, due to a **power supply malfunction**, with operations officially ending on **February 15, 1985**.
- Also known as **UKS, AMPTE-UKS, UK Subsatellite, or AMPTE 2**.
- Launched aboard a **Delta 3000 rocket (D-175)**.
- COSPAR ID: **1984-088C**, NSSDCA ID: **1984-088C**.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the United Kingdom Subsatellite?
A: The UK Subsatellite was a research satellite designed to study Earth's magnetosphere as part of the AMPTE mission, focusing on particle interactions and magnetic fields.

### Q: When did the UK Subsatellite fail?
A: The satellite failed on **January 15, 1985**, due to a power supply issue, and operations were officially terminated on **February 15, 1985**.

### Q: What rocket launched the UK Subsatellite?
A: It was launched using a **Delta 3000 rocket (D-175)** from Cape Canaveral on **August 16, 1984**.

### Q: Who funded the UK Subsatellite?
A: The mission was funded by the **Science and Engineering Research Council (UK)**.

### Q: What other names does the UK Subsatellite have?
A: It is also referred to as **UKS, AMPTE-UKS, UK Subsatellite, or AMPTE 2**.

## Why It Matters
The United Kingdom Subsatellite played a crucial role in the **AMPTE mission**, which aimed to advance understanding of Earth's magnetosphere and space plasma physics. By releasing tracer ions and studying their behavior, the mission provided valuable data on solar wind interactions and magnetic field dynamics. Although its operational life was short due to a power failure, the data collected contributed to broader scientific research on space weather and magnetospheric processes. The UK's involvement highlighted international collaboration in space science during the 1980s, reinforcing the importance of joint missions in advancing space research.

## Notable For
- Being the **UK's contribution** to the **AMPTE mission**, a key international space research project.
- One of the few **British satellites** launched under NASA's **Explorer program**.
- Short operational lifespan due to a **power supply failure**, ending just **five months after launch**.
- Part of a **three-satellite AMPTE mission**, alongside NASA's **Charge Composition Explorer** and Germany's **Ion Release Module**.
- Provided data on **magnetospheric particle interactions**, aiding space physics research.

## Body
### Overview
The **United Kingdom Subsatellite (UKS)** was a research satellite developed by the UK as part of the **Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE)** mission. The AMPTE program was a collaborative effort between **NASA, the UK, and Germany** to study Earth's magnetosphere by releasing tracer ions and observing their behavior.

### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Date:** August 16, 1984, at **14:48 UTC**.
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta 3000 rocket (D-175).
- **Orbit:** The satellite was placed in a highly elliptical orbit to study the magnetosphere.

### Mission and Objectives
The UKS was designed to:
- Release **barium and lithium ions** to trace magnetic field lines.
- Study **solar wind interactions** with Earth's magnetosphere.
- Collect data on **plasma physics** and particle behavior in space.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass:** 77 kg.
- **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1984-088C.
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1984-088C.

### Mission Timeline
- **August 16, 1984:** Successful launch.
- **January 15, 1985:** Power supply failure.
- **February 15, 1985:** Official end of operations.

### Failure and Legacy
The UKS experienced a **power supply failure** in early 1985, cutting its mission short. Despite this, the data collected during its brief operation contributed to the broader **AMPTE mission goals**, enhancing understanding of magnetospheric dynamics. The mission remains a notable example of **international space collaboration** in the 1980s.

## Schema Markup
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{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "United Kingdom Subsatellite",
  "description": "A British research satellite launched in 1984 as part of NASA's Explorer program to study Earth's magnetosphere.",
  "sameAs": [
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/uks.htm)
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1984-088C)