CASSIOPE

CASSIOPE
CASSIOPE launches on a Falcon 9 v1.1
Mission typeTechnology
Communications
Research
OperatorUniversity of Calgary
COSPAR ID2013-055A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.39265
Websitehttp://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/cassiope.asp
Mission durationPrimary mission: 18 months[1]
Design life: 2 years[2][3]
Elapsed: 11 years, 1 month, 11 days
Orbits completed53807[4]
Spacecraft properties
BusMAC-200
ManufacturerMDA (prime)
Magellan Aerospace (subcontractor)
Com Dev (subcontractor)
Launch mass500 kg (1,100 lb)[3]
Dimensions180×125 cm (71×49 in)[3]
Power5 solar panels generating
up to 600 W[3]
Start of mission
Launch dateSeptember 29, 2013, 16:00 (2013-09-29UTC16Z) UTC
RocketFalcon 9 v1.1
Launch siteVandenberg SLC-4E
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Semi-major axis7,063 km (4,389 mi)[4]
Eccentricity0.0526838[4]
Perigee altitude320 km (200 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude1,064.2 km (661.3 mi)[4]
Inclination80.9604 degrees[4]
Period98.46 minutes[4]
RAAN349.3323 degrees[4]
Argument of perigee335.9358 degrees[4]
Mean anomaly21.8 degrees[4]
Mean motion14.6254[4]
EpochJanuary 30, 2024, 12:46:11 UTC[4]

Cascade, Smallsat and Ionospheric Polar Explorer (CASSIOPE),[5] is a Canadian Space Agency (CSA) multi-mission satellite operated by the University of Calgary. The mission development and operations from launch to February 2018 was funded through CSA and the Technology Partnerships Canada program.[5] In February 2018 CASSIOPE became part of the European Space Agency's Swarm constellation through the Third Party Mission Program[permanent dead link], known as Swarm Echo, or Swarm-E.[6] It was launched September 29, 2013, on the first flight of the SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 launch vehicle.[2][7] CASSIOPE is the first Canadian hybrid satellite to carry a dual mission in the fields of telecommunications and scientific research. The main objectives are to gather information to better understand the science of space weather, while verifying high-speed communications concepts through the use of advanced space technologies.

The satellite was deployed in an elliptical[8] polar orbit[9] and carries a commercial communications system called Cascade as well as a scientific experiment package called e-POP (enhanced Polar Outflow Probe).[9]

Following staging, the Falcon 9's first stage was used by SpaceX for a controlled descent and landing test. While the first stage was destroyed on impact with the ocean, significant data was acquired and the test was considered a success.[10]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference space20130927 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference nasasf20130929 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference ucal-faq was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "CASSIOPE Satellite details 2013-055A NORAD 39265". N2YO. January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Giffin2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Swarm trio becomes a quartet". www.esa.int. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  7. ^ Foust, Jeff (March 27, 2013). "After Dragon, SpaceX's focus returns to Falcon". NewSpace Journal. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference srcf20120626 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b "e-POP Project Schedule". University of Calgary. 2013. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference sn20130929 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).