# Youthsat

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q8059374](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8059374)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouthSat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/youthsat

## Summary
YouthSat is a small Indian satellite launched on April 20, 2011, designed for educational outreach and atmospheric studies. Weighing just 92 kilograms, it was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-G. The mission aimed to engage students in space science while conducting scientific experiments related to the lower thermosphere.

## Key Facts
- Launched on April 20, 2011, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad
- Mass: 92 kg
- Country of origin: India
- Operator: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Launch vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-G
- COSPAR ID: 2011-015B
- NSSDCA ID: 2011-015B
- Instance of: Small satellite (under 1,200 kg)
- Wikipedia titles available in English, Galician, and Latvian

## FAQs
### Q: What is YouthSat used for?
A: YouthSat is primarily used for educational outreach and scientific research in the lower thermosphere. It engages students in space science and carries out experiments to study atmospheric conditions at high altitudes.

### Q: Who built YouthSat?
A: YouthSat was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with contributions from educational institutions to promote student involvement in space technology.

### Q: When was YouthSat launched?
A: YouthSat was successfully launched on April 20, 2011, aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-G rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India.

## Why It Matters
YouthSat represents ISRO's commitment to fostering education and public engagement in space science. As part of ISRO’s broader initiative to involve youth in space activities, the satellite serves both practical and inspirational purposes. Scientifically, it contributes data about the Earth's upper atmosphere, particularly focusing on the dynamics of the lower thermosphere—a region that plays a key role in understanding climate and communication systems. By involving students in its development and operation, YouthSat also helps cultivate future talent in aerospace engineering and space sciences within India.

## Notable For
- One of ISRO’s dedicated student-engagement satellites
- Lightweight design under 100 kg, optimized for cost-effective launch
- Focused mission on lower thermospheric studies
- Launched alongside other satellites via PSLV-G, showcasing multi-payload missions
- Symbolic representation of India's inclusive approach to space exploration through youth participation

## Body
### Mission Overview
YouthSat was conceived as an experimental satellite intended to encourage young minds in India to pursue careers in space science and technology. Its secondary objective involved collecting scientific data from the lower thermosphere, contributing to global atmospheric modeling efforts.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft weighed approximately 92 kilograms, making it a member of the small satellite class defined as having a mass below 1,200 kg. This lightweight configuration allowed for economical deployment using existing launch infrastructure such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle series.

### Development and Launch
Developed entirely by ISRO in collaboration with academic partners, YouthSat was integrated into a multi-satellite payload and launched on April 20, 2011. The launch took place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-G variant.

### Operational Details
Once deployed into low Earth orbit, YouthSat began transmitting telemetry and scientific data back to ground stations managed by ISRO. Though relatively short-lived compared to larger missions, its operational period served its dual goals of education and experimentation effectively.

### Legacy and Impact
YouthSat has since become a reference point for future student-driven missions in India. It demonstrated how smaller payloads can contribute meaningfully to scientific understanding without requiring large-scale investment, reinforcing ISRO’s strategy of affordable access to space.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/Spacecraft/youthsat-0)