# GEOSAT-1

> Earth observation small satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q4037149](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4037149)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deimos-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/geosat-1

## Summary  
GEOSAT‑1 (formerly Deimos‑1) is a 91 kg Spanish‑built Earth‑observation small satellite launched on 29 July 2009 from Baikonur on a Dnepr launch vehicle. It operates in the Disaster Monitoring Constellation and has been managed successively by Elecnor Deimos, UrtheCast, and currently the GEOSAT company.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date & time:** 29 July 2009 at 18:46:29 UTC.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Dnepr rocket (flight 510‑7681‑113) from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109.  
- **Mass:** 91 kg (kilograms).  
- **Manufacturer:** Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL).  
- **Country of origin:** Spain.  
- **COSPAR ID / NSSDC ID:** 2009‑041A.  
- **Official name:** Deimos‑1 (2009‑2021) → GEOSAT‑1 (from 2021).  
- **Operators:** Elecnor Deimos (2009‑2015), UrtheCast (2015‑2021), GEOSAT (2021‑present).  
- **Mission class:** Earth‑observation satellite; part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation.  
- **Power source:** Solar arrays mounted on the spacecraft bus.

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the primary purpose of GEOSAT‑1?  
A: GEOSAT‑1 is an Earth‑observation satellite designed to acquire optical imagery for disaster monitoring and environmental assessment as a member of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation.  

### Q: When and how was GEOSAT‑1 launched?  
A: It was launched on 29 July 2009 at 18:46:29 UTC aboard a Dnepr launch vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109.  

### Q: Who has operated GEOSAT‑1 since launch?  
A: The satellite was first operated by Elecnor Deimos (2009‑2015), then by UrtheCast (2015‑2021), and is currently operated by the GEOSAT company (2021‑present).  

### Q: How large and heavy is GEOSAT‑1?  
A: The spacecraft has a launch mass of 91 kg, classifying it as a small satellite.  

### Q: What constellation does GEOSAT‑1 belong to?  
A: It is a member of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation, a network of small Earth‑observation satellites that provide rapid‑response imagery for emergencies.

## Why It Matters  
GEOSAT‑1 exemplifies the shift toward low‑cost, rapid‑deployment Earth‑observation platforms that can deliver timely data for disaster response. By contributing imagery to the Disaster Monitoring Constellation, it helps governments, NGOs, and commercial users assess flood extents, wildfire spread, and other environmental hazards in near‑real time. Its small mass and use of a converted ICBM (the Dnepr) for launch demonstrate cost‑effective access to space, while the satellite’s operational hand‑over among three different owners illustrates the evolving commercial landscape of remote‑sensing services. As a Spanish‑origin satellite built by Surrey Satellite Technology, GEOSAT‑1 also highlights international collaboration in the small‑sat sector, supporting broader goals of global situational awareness and resilience against natural disasters.

## Notable For  
- **Re‑branding:** Operated as Deimos‑1 for twelve years before being renamed GEOSAT‑1 in 2021.  
- **Multi‑operator lifecycle:** Managed by three distinct commercial entities, reflecting a rare continuity across ownership changes.  
- **Disaster Monitoring Constellation member:** Provides coordinated, rapid‑response imagery alongside other small EO satellites.  
- **Launch on a converted ICBM:** Utilized the Dnepr launch vehicle, a repurposed Soviet‑era missile, showcasing innovative launch economics.  
- **Compact design:** At only 91 kg, it demonstrates the capabilities of small‑sat platforms for high‑value Earth‑observation missions.

## Body  

### Overview  
GEOSAT‑1 is an Earth‑observation small satellite built by Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) for the Spanish company Elecnor Deimos. It was originally named **Deimos‑1** and entered service in 2009. The satellite’s primary payload consists of an optical imager powered by solar arrays, enabling it to capture medium‑resolution imagery for environmental monitoring and disaster response.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 29 July 2009, 18:46:29 UTC.  
- **Vehicle:** Dnepr rocket (flight 510‑7681‑113).  
- **Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 109, Kazakhstan.  
- **Significant Event:** Successful rocket launch delivering the satellite into low‑Earth orbit.

### Design & Specifications  
- **Mass:** 91 kg.  
- **Power:** Solar array system mounted on the spacecraft bus.  
- **Manufacturer:** Surrey Satellite Technology, a UK‑based small‑sat specialist.  
- **Country of Origin:** Spain.  
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2009‑041A; NSSDC ID 2009‑041A; Wikidata entity Q35681.

### Mission & Operations  
- **Mission Class:** Earth‑observation satellite, part of the **Disaster Monitoring Constellation** (DMC).  
- **Primary Function:** Acquire optical imagery for rapid disaster assessment, flood mapping, wildfire monitoring, and general environmental observation.  
- **Power Source:** Solar arrays provide continuous energy for the payload and bus subsystems.  

### Operators Timeline  
| Period | Operator | Notes |
|--------|----------|-------|
| 2009 – 2015 | Elecnor Deimos | Original owner and operator. |
| 2015 – 2021 | UrtheCast | Acquired Deimos imaging division; continued operations. |
| 2021 – present | GEOSAT | Re‑branded satellite as GEOSAT‑1; current operator. |

### Legacy and Impact  
GEOSAT‑1’s long‑term presence in the DMC demonstrates the durability and utility of small, cost‑effective EO platforms. Its imagery has supported numerous humanitarian and governmental missions, contributing to improved situational awareness during emergencies. The satellite’s operational continuity across three owners also provides a case study in commercial satellite asset management and the evolving business models of space‑based remote sensing.

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*All information above is derived from the provided source material and references therein.*

## References

1. [Source](https://spacenews.com/urthecast-buying-deimos-imaging-division-and-its-2-satellites/)
2. [Source](https://geosat.space/geosat-thrusters-unlimited/)
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2009-041A)
4. Jonathan's Space Report
5. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/deimos-1.htm)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/deimos-2-geosat-2)