Official name COMPASS 1
Alternative name Compass-1
Cospar ID 2008-021E
Norad ID 32787
Launch date 2008-04-28
Launch site SRI
Launch vehicle PSLV-CA
Country/Organization Germany
Type application Technology
Operator Fachhochschule Aachen
RCS size SMALL
Decay date ON ORBIT
Period (min) 93.28
Inclination (deg) 97.64
Perigee (km) 429
Apogee (km) 441
Eccentricity 0.0137931034482759
Mean motion (revs. per day) 15.4373927958834
Semi-Major axis (km) 6813.135
Raan (deg) 135.4456
Arg of perigee (deg) 83.616
Shape Box
Mass (kg) 1
Height (m) 0.1
Width (m) 0.1
Depth (m) 0.1
Span (m^2) 0.1
Lifetime 6 month (design)
Contractors Fachhochschule Aachen
Propulsion None
Configuration CubeSat (1U)
Power Solar cells, batteries

The COMPASS-1 cubesat project is conducted at the Fachhochschule Aachen for educational purposes and technology demonstration.

The mission objectives are:

  • Remote Sensing with color camera
  • GPS validation
  • Technology demonstration:
    • Extensive use of COTS components
    • Fast UHF communication downlink
    • Active magnetic attitude control
    • Lithium-Polymer batteries for power storage

The satellite operated until March 2012.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
COMPASS 1 2008-021E 2008-04-28 SRI PSLV-CA with Cartosat 2A, IMS 1, CanX 6, CanX 2, AAU-Cubesat 2, Cute 1.7 + APD II, Delfi C3, SEEDS 2, Rubin 8-AIS