# Wind

> NASA geomagnetic research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q2300867](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2300867)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wind-q2300867

## Summary
Wind is a NASA geomagnetic research satellite launched in 1994 to monitor Earth's magnetosphere and study interplanetary physics. It was part of the Global Geospace Science program and operated at the L1 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point to provide unique measurements of solar wind conditions.

## Key Facts
- Wind is a geomagnetic satellite launched by NASA on November 1, 1994, at 09:31:00 UTC
- The satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B using a Delta II launch vehicle
- Wind has a launch weight of 1,250 kilograms and a dry weight of 950 kilograms
- It is part of both the Global Geospace Science program and the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative
- Wind operated at the L1 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point from November 1, 1996, to March 1, 1998
- The satellite was manufactured by Martin Marietta and powered by a spacecraft solar array providing 370 W
- Wind's COSPAR ID is 1994-071A, and its NASA ID is also 1994-071A
- The satellite has aliases including GGS/Wind, ISTP/Wind, Interplanetary Physics Laboratory, and IPL

## FAQs
### Q: What is Wind and what was its primary mission?
A: Wind is a NASA geomagnetic research satellite launched in 1994. Its primary mission was to monitor Earth's magnetosphere and related regions as part of the Global Geospace Science program.

### Q: When and where was Wind launched?
A: Wind was launched on November 1, 1994, at 09:31:00 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B using a Delta II launch vehicle.

### Q: What scientific program was Wind part of?
A: Wind was part of the Global Geospace Science program and the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative, which aimed to study the physics of the Sun-Earth system.

### Q: What is Wind's weight and power source?
A: Wind has a launch weight of 1,250 kilograms and a dry weight of 950 kilograms. It is powered by a spacecraft solar array providing 370 W of power.

## Why It Matters
Wind plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of Earth's magnetosphere and interplanetary physics. By operating at the L1 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point, Wind provided unique measurements of solar wind conditions before they reached Earth, allowing scientists to study the Sun-Earth connection in unprecedented detail. This data has been instrumental in improving space weather forecasting, protecting satellites and astronauts from solar radiation, and understanding how solar activity affects Earth's magnetic field and climate systems. Wind's contributions to the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative have helped establish a comprehensive view of the physical processes occurring in near-Earth space.

## Notable For
- One of the key satellites in the Global Geospace Science program alongside the Polar satellite
- Operated at the L1 Earth-Sun Lagrangian point, providing early warnings of solar wind conditions
- Provided comprehensive measurements of Earth's magnetosphere and interplanetary space
- Part of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative, a multi-spacecraft mission to study the Sun-Earth system
- Designed with a long operational lifespan to collect data over multiple solar cycles

## Body
### Mission and Purpose
Wind is a geomagnetic satellite designed to monitor Earth's magnetosphere and related regions. As part of the Global Geospace Science program, Wind's mission focused on studying the physics of the Sun-Earth system, including solar wind interactions with Earth's magnetic field.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 1,250 kg (launch weight), 950 kg (dry weight)
- Power source: Spacecraft solar array providing 370 W
- Manufacturer: Martin Marietta
- Launch date: November 1, 1994, at 09:31:00 UTC
- Launch vehicle: Delta II (model D-227)
- Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17B
- COSPAR ID: 1994-071A
- NASA ID: 1994-071A
- NAIF ID: -8
- Freebase ID: /m/089qdv

### Operational Details
- Part of: Global Geospace Science, International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative
- Lagrangian point operations: L1 Earth-Sun (November 1, 1996 - March 1, 1998)
- Country of origin: United States
- Operator: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

### Identifiers and Media
- Official website: https://www.nasa.gov/wind
- Logo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Windlogo.gif
- Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Wind_spacecraft_model.png
- Aliases: GGS/Wind, ISTP/Wind, Interplanetary Physics Laboratory, Global Geospace Science Wind, IPL, WIND, Global Geospace Science

### Related Entities
- Class: geomagnetic satellite
- Related class: Delta II (retired expendable launch system)
- Part of: Polar (decommissioned NASA geomagnetic research satellite)

## References

1. [Source](https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/v-w-x-y-z/wind)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)