EOS SAT-1

EOS SAT-1 is developed for EOS Data Analytics, a global provider of AI-powered satellite imagery analytics founded by Max Polyakov. It is the first satellite within the company's constellation EOS SAT. It will have a daily imaging capacity of up to 1 million square kilometers and capture imagery in 11 agri-related spectral bands.[2] Satellite cameras will produce panchromatic and multispectral images.

Even with only one such satellite in space, EOSDA enables its customers to unlock the potential for implementing precision agriculture practices, which further translates into reduced CO₂ emissions, decreased energy, water consumption, and more benefits.

Once fully operational, the seven small optical EOS SAT satellites will cover up to 100% of the countries with the largest cropland and forest areas, 98.5% of such lands worldwide. The satellite constellation will monitor up to 12 million square kilometers daily.[3]

EOS SAT-1 was built by the satellite and space optics instrument manufacturer Dragonfly Aerospace and equipped with two high-resolution DragonEye cameras.

The satellite's engine was designed by SETS (Space Electric Thruster Systems), and Flight Control Propulsion ensured the 3D printing of components and manufacturing of the body elements. The satellite will operate in a Sun-synchronous orbit, providing constant footage of the Earth's surface illuminated by sunlight.

EOS Data Analytics will obtain satellite imagery to process it further and provide customers with quality data to make informed decisions in the agricultural sector.

The EOS SAT-1 satellite is designed to observe the Earth's surface in optical and infrared spectrums. This is the first satellite of the constellation tasked explicitly with monitoring agricultural and forest lands. Utilization of the satellite technology has the potential to:

1. Prevent the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers
2. Reduce food waste
3. Address the effects of climate change on agricultural and forest lands
4. Make informed decisions based on the obtained satellite data to mitigate the food crisis
5. Reduce agricultural CO₂ emissions by optimizing farming practices.

The EOS SAT-1 satellite remote sensing is aimed at forming a new sustainable approach to agriculture in line with the six pillars of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):[4]

1. Combat climate change and its consequences
2. Develop a strong infrastructure and implement innovations
3. Secure the availability and sustainable use of water and sanitation for all
4. Ensure sustainable consumption and production models
5. End hunger
6. Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems.

A single EOS SAT-1 satellite scene covers a territory that is 42 km in width and can be over 1 km in length.

The altitude of the satellite's sun-synchronous orbit is 520–560 km.[5]

Orbit average power: 140 W.

Design lifetime: 5–7 years.

Mass: 176.6400 kg.

Bus voltage: 24.5 — 33.6 V.

GSD (ground sample distance), resolution:

• panchromatic 1.4 m
• multispectral 2.8 m

Swath width: double optical payload with a 44 km swath width for an altitude of 500 km.

Spectral bands — 11 agri-related bands:[6]

• RGB
• 2 NIR bands
• 3 RedEdge bands
• WaterVapor
• Aerosol
• Pan.

The satellite was launched on January 3, 2023, on the SpaceX’s Transporter-6 mission.[7] The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) and launched 114 spacecraft into orbit, including the EOS SAT-1 satellite.

Since the launch into low Earth orbit, the EOS SAT-1 satellite has established contact and sent telemetry and data on the status of its systems to Earth.[8]

The satellite is undergoing 3-month testing before it becomes fully operational. EOS Data Analytics plans to provide the first EOS SAT-1 satellite images in April 2023.

• GeoEye-1
• Earth observation satellites