Mission type | X-ray astronomy |
---|---|
Operator | MSU |
COSPAR ID | 2012-048E[1] |
SATCAT no. | 38762 |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | CXBN |
Spacecraft type | 2U CubeSat |
Manufacturer | MSU |
Dry mass | 2.6kg[1] |
Dimensions | 10 x 10 x 20cm[2] |
Power | 15W |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | September 13, 2012[3] |
Rocket | Atlas V 401 |
Launch site | VAFB Launch Complex 3[2] |
Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
Deployed from | Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer |
End of mission | |
Disposal | Re-entry |
Last contact | January 2013 |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Low Earth |
Periapsis altitude | 460 kilometres (290 mi) |
Apoapsis altitude | 770 kilometres (480 mi) |
Inclination | 64° |
Instruments | |
Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) array | |
Cosmic X-ray Background Nanosatellite (CXBN) was a satellite and mission developed by the Morehead State University. Unlike its successor, it was a partial failure as its transmissions were too weak for its mission due to it going into an anomalous low power mode.[1] It was supposed to take measurements of the cosmic X-ray background in the 30-50 keV range and temporarily supplement NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes.[4]