# UNIFORM-1

> Japanese Earth observation small satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q17056511](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17056511)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNIFORM-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/uniform-1

## Summary
UNIFORM-1 (University International Formation Mission) is a Japanese Earth observation small satellite operated by Wakayama University. Launched on May 24, 2014, aboard an H-IIA rocket, it was designed to observe Earth from orbit. The satellite serves as a platform for higher education and remote sensing research.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: UNIFORM-1 (University International Formation Mission)
- **Operator**: Wakayama University (Higher education institution in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan)
- **Classification**: Earth observation satellite
- **Launch Date**: May 24, 2014 (Time: 03:05:14)
- **Launch Vehicle**: H-IIA (Model H-IIA-24)
- **Launch Site**: Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1
- **COSPAR ID**: 2014-029B
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 39767
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2014-029B

## FAQs
### Q: Who owns and operates UNIFORM-1?
A: UNIFORM-1 is owned and operated by Wakayama University, a higher education institution located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.

### Q: When was UNIFORM-1 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on May 24, 2014, at 03:05:14 from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1.

### Q: What type of satellite is UNIFORM-1?
A: UNIFORM-1 is a Japanese Earth observation small satellite designed specifically to observe Earth from orbit.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch UNIFORM-1?
A: It was launched using a Japanese H-IIA expendable medium-lift launch vehicle, specifically the H-IIA-24 variant.

## Why It Matters
UNIFORM-1 represents a significant milestone in the democratization of space access for academic institutions. As an Earth observation satellite operated directly by Wakayama University, rather than a major national space agency, it highlights the growing capability of universities to develop and manage orbital assets.

The mission plays a critical role in the field of remote sensing and aerospace engineering education. By managing the "University International Formation Mission," Wakayama University provides students and researchers with hands-on experience in satellite operations, telemetry analysis, and Earth observation data processing. This moves theoretical engineering principles into practical application, fostering the next generation of aerospace professionals.

Furthermore, the satellite's launch aboard the H-IIA, Japan's primary medium-lift launch vehicle, integrates academic research into the national space infrastructure. It contributes to the broader portfolio of Earth observation data, which is essential for monitoring environmental changes, disaster management, and land usage. The existence of UNIFORM-1 underscores the shift toward smaller, cost-effective satellites that can deliver specific scientific data without the massive budgets traditionally associated with space exploration.

## Notable For
- **Academic Operation**: It is notably operated by a university (Wakayama University) rather than a dedicated space agency, emphasizing educational involvement in space technology.
- **Specific Launch Integration**: It was a dedicated payload on the H-IIA-24 flight, a variant of Japan's flagship medium-lift rocket.
- **Naming Convention**: The acronym "UNIFORM" stands for "University International Formation Mission," highlighting its collaborative or formation-flying intent within an academic context.
- **Earth Observation Focus**: It is specifically classified as an Earth observation satellite designed to monitor the planet from orbit.

## Body
### Mission Overview
UNIFORM-1 is an artificial satellite specifically designed for Earth observation. Defined as a "small satellite," its primary objective is to observe Earth from orbit. The mission is also known by its full title, the "University International Formation Mission."

### Operator and Governance
The satellite is owned and operated by **Wakayama University**, a higher education institution situated in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The university, established in 1949, utilized this mission to expand its capabilities in aerospace engineering and remote sensing research. The headquarters for the operations is located in Sakaedani 930, Wakayama.

### Launch and Deployment
UNIFORM-1 was successfully launched on **May 24, 2014**. The precise time of the launch event was recorded at 03:05:14.
*   **Launch Vehicle**: The satellite was deployed using an **H-IIA** rocket, specifically the H-IIA-24 configuration. The H-IIA is a Japanese expendable medium-lift launch vehicle.
*   **Launch Site**: The launch originated from the **Yoshinobu Launch Complex Launch Pad 1**.

### Technical Identifiers
To facilitate tracking and cataloging within international space databases, UNIFORM-1 is assigned the following identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID**: 2014-029B
*   **NSSDCA ID**: 2014-029B
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 39767
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: `Entity["Satellite", "39767"]`

### Data Resources
Information regarding UNIFORM-1 is maintained across multiple knowledge bases, including Wikipedia (available in English, Finnish, Galician, and Indonesian) and Freebase (ID: /m/010qdfpg).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report