Subscribe with SteadySATurnin 1
SATurnin 1 [VZLÚ]
SATurnin 1 is a Czech Earth observation satellite developed by VZLÚ AEROSPACE for defense, security, and scientific research purposes. SATurnin-1 supports the Military Intelligence Satellite Center (established 2018), enhancing national defense, civil crisis response, and reducing reliance on foreign data providers. The project was strongly supported by the Czech Ministry of Defense.
Built to the 12U-CubeSat form factor with body dimensions of 32 Ũ 22.5 Ũ 22.5 cm and solar panels extending to 87 cm, SATurnin-1 is the largest operational satellite built in the Czech Republic. It is equipped with a high-resolution camera and features advanced onboard data processing using AI algorithms. The satellite is intended for long-term monitoring of Earth and contributes to the Czech Republics strategic independence in remote sensing.
Development began in 2022, with integration completed in 2024 in VZLU AEROSPACE's clean rooms in Prague. The satellite was shipped to the U.S. in October 2024 for launch. SATurnin-1 builds on previous VZLU satellite missions, including VZLUSAT-1 and VZLUSAT-2, and precedes future projects such as VZLUGEM, AMBIC, and QUVIK.
The satellite was launched on 14 January 2025 aboard a Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) rocket (SpaceX) as part of the Transporter-12 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, USA.
| Nation: | Czech Republic |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology |
| Operator: | VZLÚ |
| Contractors: | VZLÚ |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | CubeSat (12U) |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 20 kg |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SATurnin 1 | 2025-009 | 14.01.2025 | Va SLC-4E | Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) | with MBZ-SAT, W-Series 2, Garai A, SIGI 1, FGN-100 d1, Pelican 2, ICEYE X41, X42, X44, X45, Lyra 1, Firefly 1, 2, 3, IRIDE-MS2-HEO 1, ŅuSat 45, NORSAT 4, Jay C, D1, D2, SkyBee A01, ION-SCV 014, 016, Sedna 2, LOGSATS 2 PoSAT 2, Skylink 1, 2, HADES R, Hydra T, HYPE-AGH, POQUITO, PROMETHEUS 1, Impulse 2, Bluebon, FossaSat 2E20, Ray 1.0, Balkan 1, GESat GEN1, PAUSAT 1, Centauri 7, 8, SatGus, SATurnin 1, BRO 16, Edison 1, FOREST 3, AE1c, AE1d, Buzzer 1, Connecta-IoT 5, ..., 8, Elevation 1, OTTER, SCOT, TROLL, AlAinSat 1, ANSER L-S, Flock-4g 1, ..., 36, FUSION 1, InnoCubE, IRIS F2, F3, Lemur-2 197, ..., 202, LIME, PARUS T1, HCT-Sat 1, TechEdSat 22, Veery 0F, FossaSat 2E18, 2E19 |
Launch Sites:
- Va = Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
References:
- VZLÚ: SATurnin-1: A Satellite for the Defense and Security of the Czech Republic, 17 January 2025
- VZLUsat 1 (QB50 CZ02)
- VZLUsat 2
- VZLUsat 3
