# EYE

> Ultra-small satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q130680544](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130680544)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eye

## Summary
EYE is an ultra-small satellite launched on January 3, 2023, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. It was developed and operated by Sony Group, Sony Wireless Communications, and STAR SPHERE. The satellite is also known by its aliases SPHERE-1 EYE and アイ (pronounced "ai").

## Key Facts
- Launched on January 3, 2023, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40
- Operated by Sony Group, Sony Wireless Communications, and STAR SPHERE
- Launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket (partially reusable orbital launch vehicle by SpaceX)
- Instance of artificial satellite (human-made object put into orbit)
- Has the short code name アイ (pronounced "ai") in Japanese
- Wikidata description identifies it as an ultra-small satellite
- Has the short code (scn) 55072
- Aliases include SPHERE-1 EYE and アイ

## FAQs
### Q: What is EYE?
A: EYE is an ultra-small satellite launched in 2023 by Sony Group and its partners. It was sent into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

### Q: Who operates the EYE satellite?
A: The EYE satellite is operated by Sony Group, Sony Wireless Communications, and STAR SPHERE.

### Q: When and how was EYE launched?
A: EYE was launched on January 3, 2023, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

### Q: What does EYE stand for?
A: EYE is also known by its aliases SPHERE-1 EYE and アイ (pronounced "ai" in Japanese), though the exact meaning of the acronym is not specified in the source material.

## Why It Matters
EYE represents Sony's entry into the satellite technology space, demonstrating the company's expansion beyond consumer electronics into aerospace applications. As an ultra-small satellite, it likely serves as a platform for testing new technologies or providing specialized services in orbit. The collaboration between Sony Group, Sony Wireless Communications, and STAR SPHERE shows how traditional technology companies are diversifying into space-based ventures. The use of a Falcon 9 rocket for launch indicates access to reliable commercial launch services, making space more accessible to corporate entities beyond traditional aerospace organizations.

## Notable For
- Ultra-small satellite classification, representing miniaturization in satellite technology
- Sony's first major satellite venture, expanding the company's technological footprint
- Successful launch aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9, demonstrating commercial space accessibility
- Japanese naming (アイ) showing cultural integration in technology development
- Multi-company collaboration between Sony Group entities and STAR SPHERE

## Body
### Technical Specifications
EYE is classified as an ultra-small satellite, though specific dimensions and mass are not provided in the source material. As a small satellite, it likely weighs between 10-100 kg and has dimensions suitable for deployment as a secondary payload on the Falcon 9 rocket.

### Launch Details
The satellite launched on January 3, 2023, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida. This launch facility is a major site for both government and commercial space launches. The Falcon 9 rocket, developed by SpaceX, is a partially reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle that has become the workhorse of commercial spaceflight.

### Operator Information
The satellite is operated by a consortium including Sony Group (the parent company), Sony Wireless Communications (likely providing communication infrastructure), and STAR SPHERE (possibly a specialized space technology subsidiary or partner). This collaboration represents a unique combination of consumer electronics expertise with space technology.

### Naming and Identification
The satellite carries multiple identifiers: its formal name EYE, the alias SPHERE-1 EYE suggesting it may be part of a series, and the Japanese name アイ (pronounced "ai"). The short code 55072 serves as its official catalog number for tracking and identification purposes.

### Classification Context
As an artificial satellite, EYE joins the approximately 5,000+ active satellites currently orbiting Earth. Its ultra-small classification places it in the growing category of small satellites that are transforming the economics of space-based services, from Earth observation to communications and scientific research.