# UoSAT-4

> failed British Low Earth Orbit Satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q7897872](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7897872)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UoSAT-4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/uosat-4

## Summary
UoSAT-4 was a failed British Low Earth Orbit satellite developed by the University of Surrey. It was launched on January 22, 1990, aboard an Ariane 40 rocket but did not achieve its intended orbit, marking a setback in the university's early satellite programs.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Amateur radio satellite
- **Operator**: University of Surrey
- **Launch Date**: January 22, 1990
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 40
- **Launch Site**: ELA-2 (European Spaceport)
- **Manufacturer**: Surrey Satellite Technology
- **COSPAR ID**: 1990-005C
- **Alternative Name**: UO-15
- **Status**: Failed (did not achieve intended orbit)

## FAQs
### Q: What was UoSAT-4's purpose?
A: UoSAT-4 was an amateur radio satellite designed to facilitate communication experiments and educational research.

### Q: Why did UoSAT-4 fail?
A: The satellite did not achieve its intended orbit after launch, resulting in a failure of its mission.

### Q: Who developed UoSAT-4?
A: UoSAT-4 was developed by the University of Surrey, specifically by Surrey Satellite Technology.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for UoSAT-4?
A: The satellite was launched aboard an Ariane 40 rocket on January 22, 1990.

### Q: What was the significance of UoSAT-4's failure?
A: The failure highlighted challenges in early satellite development and contributed to the University of Surrey's ongoing efforts in space technology.

## Why It Matters
UoSAT-4 was part of the University of Surrey's pioneering efforts in satellite technology, particularly in the field of amateur radio satellites. Despite its failure, the project provided valuable lessons in spacecraft design and orbital mechanics. The satellite's development marked an early milestone in the university's contributions to space research, even if the mission did not succeed. The experience helped shape future satellite programs and reinforced the importance of rigorous testing and contingency planning in space missions.

## Notable For
- **First Attempt**: One of the University of Surrey's earliest satellite projects, demonstrating early ambitions in space technology.
- **Amateur Radio Focus**: Designed to support communication experiments, reflecting the university's educational mission.
- **Ariane 40 Launch**: The satellite's launch aboard the Ariane 40 rocket, a significant event in its development timeline.
- **Failed Mission**: The failure provided critical insights into the challenges of early satellite deployment.
- **Educational Legacy**: Contributed to the university's reputation in satellite engineering and space research.

## Body
### Overview
UoSAT-4 was an amateur radio satellite developed by the University of Surrey as part of its early satellite programs. The satellite was intended to facilitate communication experiments and educational research.

### Development and Launch
- **Development**: The satellite was built by Surrey Satellite Technology, a subsidiary of the University of Surrey.
- **Launch Date**: January 22, 1990.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 40, a rocket in the Ariane 4 series.
- **Launch Site**: ELA-2 at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

### Mission and Failure
- **Mission**: UoSAT-4 was designed to operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to support amateur radio communication.
- **Failure**: The satellite did not achieve its intended orbit, resulting in a mission failure.
- **Significance**: The failure provided valuable lessons in spacecraft design and orbital mechanics, contributing to the university's ongoing space research efforts.

### Legacy
- **Educational Impact**: The project highlighted the challenges of early satellite development and reinforced the importance of rigorous testing.
- **Technological Contributions**: Despite the failure, UoSAT-4 was part of the University of Surrey's broader contributions to space technology.
- **Alternative Name**: Also known as UO-15, reflecting its role in the university's satellite naming conventions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report