astronomy

Odin (satellite)

Odin (satellite) is a astronomy topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Odin (satellite) rather than just read about it. In short: Odin is a Swedish satellite working in two disciplines: astrophysics and aeronomy. It was named after Odin of Norse mythology.

Key takeaways

Odin (satellite) belongs to astronomy; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Odin (satellite) to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Odin (satellite) from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Odin is a Swedish satellite working in two disciplines: astrophysics and aeronomy. It was named after Odin of Norse mythology. Within the field of astrophysics, Odin was used until the spring of 2007 aiding in the study of star formation. Odin is still used for aeronomical observations, including exploration of the depletion of the ozone layer and effects of global warming. The satellite was functioning nominally until it deorbited on 3 August 2026.

Overview The main instrument on Odin is a radiometer using a 1.1 m telescope, designed to be used for both the astronomy and aeronomy missions. The radiometer works at 486–580 GHz and at 119 GHz. The second instrument on board is the OSIRIS (Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imager System). Odin was developed by the Space Systems Division of Swedish Space Corporation (now SSC Sweden) as part of an international project involving the space agencies of Sweden (SNSB), Finland (TEKES), Canada (CSA) and France (CNES). Odin was launched on a START-1 rocket on 20 February 2001 from Svobodny, Russia. In April 2007, astronomers announced that Odin had made the first ever detection of molecular oxygen (O2) in interstellar clouds. The operator announced in 2025 that the satellite is expected to burn up in the atmosphere in the second quarter of 2026 and is expected to be operational until then, outliving the expected two year lifetime by 23 years.

Lists International partners:

Sweden Canada France Finland Agencies or organizations involved in Odin:

Swedish National Space Board Swedish Space Corporation Canadian Space Agency Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (of Canada) National Technology Agency of Finland CNES (France) Objectives:

Astronomy Aeronomy applications Atmospheric research Stratospheric ozone chemistry Mesospheric ozone science Summer mesospheric science Coupling of atmospheric regions

Results Examples:

Odin has observed water in comets. Odin detected of molecular oxygen (O2) in interstellar clouds. Odin observed carbon monoxide in the strato-mesosphere. Odin has studied nitrous oxides in the atmosphere.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Odin (satellite)

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Odin (satellite) claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In astronomy, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Odin (satellite) before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Odin (satellite) ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Odin (satellite)

In research: Odin (satellite) appears in astronomy research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Odin (satellite) in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Odin (satellite) is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Geospace monitoring satellites, Space programme of Sweden, Spacecraft launched in 2001, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Odin (satellite) outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Odin (satellite) in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Odin (satellite) means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Odin (satellite) out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Odin (satellite) in simple terms?

Odin is a Swedish satellite working in two disciplines: astrophysics and aeronomy. It was named after Odin of Norse mythology.

Why does Odin (satellite) matter?

Because it connects several astronomy ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Odin (satellite)?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Odin (satellite).