# Geoscan-Edelweiss

> Russian nanosatellite

**Wikidata**: [Q116186268](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116186268)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/geoscan-edelweiss

## Summary
Geoscan-Edelweiss is a Russian nanosatellite launched on August 9, 2022, as part of the Soyuz-2.1b rocket mission. It operated in a 97.4-degree inclined orbit until its decay on February 18, 2024, serving as an educational and scientific platform.

## Key Facts
- Launched on August 9, 2022, aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket
- Operated in a 97.4-degree orbital inclination
- Had a COSPAR ID of 2022-096R
- Operated by Geoscan company
- Was a CubeSat-class nanosatellite
- Active for approximately 1.5 years before orbital decay
- Featured educational and scientific mission objectives
- Had a dedicated website at geoscan.space
- Featured both emblem and front-view images available on Wikimedia Commons
- Was documented in both Russian Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons

### Q: What type of satellite is Geoscan-Edelweiss?
A: Geoscan-Edelweiss is a Russian nanosatellite, specifically a CubeSat-class educational and scientific platform launched in 2022.

### Q: When was Geoscan-Edelweiss launched and when did it stop operating?
A: Geoscan-Edelweiss was launched on August 9, 2022, and its orbit decayed on February 18, 2024, after approximately 1.5 years of operation.

### Q: Who operated the Geoscan-Edelweiss satellite?
A: The Geoscan-Edelweiss satellite was operated by Geoscan, a Russian company specializing in aerospace technology and educational programs.

## Why It Matters
Geoscan-Edelweiss represents an important development in Russia's nanosatellite capabilities and educational space programs. As a CubeSat-class satellite, it demonstrates how smaller, more affordable satellites can serve both educational and scientific purposes. The satellite's mission likely contributed to training new aerospace engineers and scientists while conducting practical orbital experiments. Its relatively long operational period of 1.5 years indicates successful design and execution of a nanosatellite program. The project also showcases Russia's continued investment in space technology development, particularly in the growing nanosatellite sector, which is becoming increasingly important for both commercial and educational applications in the space industry.

## Notable For
- Being part of Russia's expanding nanosatellite educational programs
- Operating for 1.5 years in a challenging 97.4-degree orbit
- Successfully completing its mission before natural orbital decay
- Serving as a practical platform for aerospace education
- Demonstrating Russian capabilities in small satellite technology

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Geoscan-Edelweiss was a CubeSat-class nanosatellite, representing the standard form factor for small satellites. The satellite featured a 97.4-degree orbital inclination, which is typical for sun-synchronous orbits used for Earth observation and educational missions.

### Mission Profile
The satellite was launched as part of a larger payload on a Soyuz-2.1b rocket on August 9, 2022. Its mission duration of approximately 1.5 years demonstrates reliable performance for a nanosatellite platform. The high orbital inclination suggests the satellite was likely used for Earth observation or educational purposes requiring global coverage.

### Educational Impact
As an educational satellite, Geoscan-Edelweiss likely served multiple purposes:
- Providing hands-on experience for students and engineers
- Testing new technologies in space conditions
- Collecting scientific data for research purposes
- Demonstrating practical applications of nanosatellite technology

### Documentation and Legacy
The satellite is well-documented with:
- Multiple images available on Wikimedia Commons
- A dedicated Wikipedia page in Russian
- A professional website maintained by the operating company
- Detailed orbital parameters and mission data preserved in space tracking databases

### Operational History
The satellite's operational timeline shows:
- Launch: August 9, 2022
- Active mission period: ~1.5 years
- Orbital decay: February 18, 2024
- Total mission duration: 550+ days

This operational history demonstrates successful mission completion for a nanosatellite platform, contributing to the growing body of knowledge in small satellite operations and educational space programs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.trv-science.ru/2024/04/nauchno-obrazovatelnye-sputniki-space-pi/)