3Cat 1 [UPC]
Official name 3CAT-1
Alternative name 3Cat-1
Cospar ID 2018-096K
Norad ID 43728
Launch date 2018-11-29
Launch site SRI
Launch vehicle PSLV-CA
Country/Organization Spain
Type application Technology
Operator Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC)
RCS size SMALL
Decay date 2023-04-04
Shape Box
Mass (kg) 1
Height (m) 0.1
Width (m) 0.1
Depth (m) 0.1
Span (m^2) 0.1
Contractors Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC))
Propulsion None
Configuration CubeSat (1U)
Power Solar cells, batteries

3Cat 1 is a 1U CubeSat developed at the Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC) to perform multiple technological experiments.

The satellite is based on the cubesat standard and it carries multiple scientific payloads/experiments to test different technologies under hostile space conditions.

The list of payloads include:

  • a Geiger counter to measure space radiation,
  • a graphene transistor,
  • a wireless power transfer system,
  • MEMS (microelectromechanical systems),
  • experimental solar panels,
  • a Peltier cell,
  • a camera.

Various measurements are taken for the different payloads to track their behavior in space and the results are transmitted to earth in a regular basis.

The launch into a 575 km high orbit was planned for 2014, but has been delayed to 2018.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
3CAT-1 2018-096K 2018-11-29 SRI PSLV-CA with HySIS, BlackSky 1, Flock-3r 1, ..., 16, Lemur-2 84, ..., 87, CICERO 8, Hiber 1, HSAT 1, CASE, Centauri 2, FACSAT 1, InnoSat 2, Reaktor Hello World