WARP-01, nicknamed Nichirin, was a 1U-sized CubeSat developed and operated by Warpspace, a newspace company based in Tsukuba, Japan. It was launched on 20 February 2021 on board a Cygnus cargo spacecraft, and deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on 14 March 2021.[1][2] WARP-01 was used for technology validation and monitoring the radio wave and radiation environment in space.[3]
| Mission type | Technology demonstration |
|---|---|
| Operator | Warpspace |
| COSPAR ID | 1998-067SA |
| SATCAT no. | 47924 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | CubeSat |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 20 February 2021, 17:36:50 UTC |
| Rocket | Antares 230+ |
| Launch site | MARS, Pad 0A |
| Deployed from | ISS Kibō Delivered by Cygnus NG-15 |
| Deployment date | 14 March 2021 |
| End of mission | |
| Decay date | 1 May 2022 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Inclination | 51.6° |
Overview
WARP-01 was Warpspace's first satellite. The company signed a contract to deploy a satellite from the ISS's Kibo Module with Space BD on 24 August 2018.[4] Inside the satellite were several wedding memorial plaques, which were sent to space as part of a 'space bridal service'.[5] At the time the service was first announced in July 2018,[6][7] media reports said that astronauts staying on the ISS were to take photographs of the satellite during its deployment.[8] WARP-01 was unveiled during an event in Tsukuba city in February 2020.[9] WARP-01 was launched and carried to space on board Cygnus NG-15. WARP-01 tested a radiation sensor, which was used to monitor the radiation environment in low Earth orbit.[5]
WARP-01 decayed from orbit on 1 May 2022.[10]