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Ralphie (satellite)

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Ralphie
Mission typeTechnology
OperatorCU-Boulder
AFRL
STP
Mission durationFailed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass16 kilograms (35 lb)
Dimensions46 x 30cm (six-sided)[1]
Start of mission
Launch dateDecember 21, 2004 (2004-12-21)
RocketDelta IV Heavy
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-37B
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
EpochPlanned

Ralphie (or 3CS-2) was a satellite, part of the Three Corner Satellite (3CS) project, a three satellite (Sparkie, Ralphie, Petey) student research project. It was designed and built by mostly undergraduate students at the University of Colorado Boulder as part of the Air Force Research Laboratory's University Nanosat Program.[2]

Ralphie was responsible for imaging and End-to-End Data Systems in the 3CS project.

The satellite carries the name of CU Boulder's mascot, Ralphie.

Ralphie was launched on the first launch of the Delta IV Heavy rocket configuration, along with 3CS-1, "Sparkie", but failed to achieve orbit due to a problem with the rocket during launch.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "3CSat". Archived from the original on October 16, 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  2. ^ Boeing (2004-12-01). "The DemoSat payload". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  3. ^ Ray, Justin (2005-03-15). "Delta 4-Heavy investigation identifies rocket's problem". Retrieved 2011-02-18.
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