Name

SCION-X

Alternate Names

INSPIREsat 6

Satellite ID

PRGL-6119-5697-2117-3482

NORAD ID

None

Country of Origin

Taiwan

Launch Date

2026-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

Deploy Date

2026-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

Decay Date

2036-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

SCION-X is a 12U CubeSat designed to provide critical scientific data on space weather dynamics within the ionosphere and thermosphere, as well as monitor regional air pollution levels in the vicinity of Taiwan. Additionally, the mission serves the global community by providing amateur radio communication services.

Expected to operate in a Sun-Synchronous Low Earth Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of 500 to 600 km, the spacecraft measures 226.3 x 226.3 x 340.5 mm and has an estimated mass of approximately 14.55 kg.

SCION-X is equipped with a suite of four scientific and communication payloads: the Compact Ionosphere Probe (CIP), the Hyper-Spectrum Camera ANalyzer (Hyper-SCAN), the Solar Extreme UltraViolet Probe (SEUV Probe), and an Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS).

The satellite's hardware architecture is designed for robust performance in orbit. It generates power through a combination of fixed and two-stage deployable solar panels and relies on an integrated Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem (CubeADCS) to maintain 3-axis stability and precise pointing control. For data transmission and telemetry, SCION-X utilizes a reliable UHF/X-band communication system.