Urthecast
Urthecast was a Canadian satellite-imaging and geospatial-analytics company that operated Earth-observation cameras on the International Space Station and developed commercial satellite constellations.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Urthecast was a Canadian Earth-observation company founded in 2010 by Wade Larson and Scott Larson. Its original concept was to make imagery and video of Earth from space accessible to commercial and public audiences, including through a proposed live-streaming service. The company pursued this vision through a combination of orbital hardware, satellite-image licensing, data services, and geospatial analytics. A central part of Urthecast’s early identity was its partnership with the Russian Federal Space Agency, or Roscosmos, to install two Earth-observation cameras on the International Space Station. The medium-resolution camera was designed to observe objects approximately six metres across or larger, while the high-resolution camera was designed for objects of about one metre. Both cameras were launched in 2013 and became operational in 2014. Their deployment gave Urthecast a distinctive public profile because the company presented the system as a way to provide near-live visual access to the planet from orbit. Urthecast later expanded beyond ISS-based cameras by acquiring established satellite-imaging assets. In 2015 it acquired Deimos Imaging, a Spanish Earth-observation business, together with the Deimos-1 and Deimos-2 satellites. Deimos-1 supplied imagery at approximately 22 metres per pixel and was capable of broad-area coverage, while Deimos-2 provided much finer imagery, with resolution reported at approximately 75 centimetres. The acquisition gave Urthecast operating satellites, an existing customer base, and a more conventional commercial Earth-observation business alongside its ISS initiative. The company also announced large-scale plans for new satellite systems. OptiSAR was conceived as a 16-satellite constellation combining optical imaging with synthetic-aperture radar. The proposed combination was intended to support imaging in darkness and through adverse weather conditions, addressing limitations of optical-only systems. Urthecast received support from the Canadian government’s Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative for OptiSAR development. In 2016 it announced UrtheDaily, an eight-satellite multispectral constellation designed to image the world’s landmass every day at a planned resolution of approximately five metres. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. was contracted to manufacture the UrtheDaily satellites. Urthecast broadened its data-analytics activities in 2018 by acquiring Geosys from Land O’Lakes. Geosys specialized in agricultural intelligence, including crop monitoring and yield forecasting based on satellite imagery and weather information. This transaction reflected a shift toward recurring, application-focused data services, particularly for agriculture, rather than relying solely on the sale of raw imagery or the novelty of orbital video. The company ultimately faced serious financial pressure. In September 2020 it sought creditor protection in Canada under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and corresponding protection in the United States under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Urthecast attributed the proceedings to its inability to secure sufficient financing or locate a buyer for its assets, with the COVID-19 pandemic forming part of the difficult financing environment. The proceedings resulted in the sale of key assets rather than a continuation of Urthecast as an independent operating company. In February 2021 a consortium led by Antarctica Capital Management agreed to acquire the Deimos Imaging business and related assets for US$3.2 million. The transaction was approved in the Canadian restructuring proceedings and closed on 26 February 2021. Antarctica Capital established EarthDaily Analytics to take over the acquired business and the UrtheDaily project. EarthDaily Analytics retained most of the former company’s employees and customers and continued developing optical imagery and analytics for agriculture and other markets. Urthecast is therefore best understood as a defunct Canadian space-technology brand whose operating assets and commercial activities were reorganized into EarthDaily Analytics.
History
Urthecast was established in Canada in 2010 by Wade Larson and Scott Larson with the aim of commercializing visual access to Earth from space. Its initial proposition centered on live or near-live video and imagery rather than only conventional archive-based satellite photographs. To pursue that goal, Urthecast partnered with Roscosmos to place two cameras on the International Space Station: a medium-resolution camera for broad-area observation and a high-resolution camera intended to resolve substantially smaller features. The cameras launched in 2013 and became operational in 2014, giving the company a highly visible demonstration platform. The business expanded through acquisition and constellation planning. In 2015 Urthecast purchased Deimos Imaging, a Spanish Earth-observation company, along with Deimos-1 and Deimos-2. Deimos-1 offered broad coverage at roughly 22 metres per pixel, while Deimos-2 provided much finer imagery at approximately 75 centimetres. This acquisition diversified Urthecast from an ISS-camera project into an operator of commercial Earth-observation satellites. Urthecast subsequently promoted two major constellation concepts. OptiSAR was planned as a 16-satellite system combining optical sensors with synthetic-aperture radar. The use of both technologies was intended to enable observation during both day and night and under conditions in which ordinary optical imaging could be impaired by cloud or poor visibility. The project received Canadian government support through the Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative. In 2016 the company announced UrtheDaily, an eight-satellite multispectral system designed to collect daily imagery of the Earth’s landmass at approximately five-metre resolution. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. was selected to manufacture the planned spacecraft. A further strategic change came in 2018, when Urthecast acquired Geosys from Land O’Lakes. Geosys supplied agricultural intelligence derived from satellite imagery and meteorological data, including crop monitoring and yield forecasting. The acquisition supported a move toward specialized analytics and recurring information services for agriculture, complementing the company’s underlying satellite assets. Despite its technology portfolio and expansion plans, Urthecast encountered financing difficulties. In September 2020 it entered creditor-protection proceedings in Canada under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and requested related recognition under Chapter 15 in the United States. The company indicated that it had not been able to raise adequate financing or find a purchaser for its assets in a challenging environment that included the COVID-19 pandemic. The restructuring led to a transfer of operating assets. In February 2021 a consortium led by Antarctica Capital Management entered into an agreement to acquire the Deimos Imaging operation and related assets for US$3.2 million. A Canadian court approved the transaction, which closed on 26 February 2021. Antarctica Capital formed EarthDaily Analytics, which assumed the acquired business and the UrtheDaily project. The successor company retained most of the former employees and customers and continued to focus on optical imagery and analytics for agriculture and other commercial applications. Urthecast itself did not continue as the same independent operating company.
- 2021
Assets transferred to EarthDaily Analytics
[1]A consortium led by Antarctica Capital acquired key Urthecast assets and established EarthDaily Analytics as their successor operator.
- 2020
Creditor-protection filing
[1]Urthecast entered Canadian creditor-protection proceedings and sought corresponding U.S. recognition under Chapter 15.
- 2018
Geosys acquisition
[1]Urthecast acquired Geosys, expanding into agricultural monitoring and forecasting analytics.
- 2016
UrtheDaily is announced
[1]Urthecast announced an eight-satellite multispectral constellation intended to provide daily global land imaging.
- 2015
Deimos Imaging acquisition
[1]Urthecast acquired Deimos Imaging and the Deimos-1 and Deimos-2 satellites.
- 2014
ISS imaging becomes operational
[1]The two ISS cameras became operational, supporting Urthecast’s orbital Earth-imaging service.
- 2013
ISS cameras are launched
[1]Urthecast’s medium-resolution and high-resolution cameras were launched for installation on the International Space Station.
- 2010
Urthecast is founded
[1]Wade Larson and Scott Larson founded Urthecast in Canada to develop commercial Earth-imaging and space-based video services.
Products and positioning
Urthecast positioned itself as an integrated Earth-observation and geospatial-intelligence company, combining orbital cameras and satellites with software, analytics, and sector-specific data products. Its early differentiation came from the ambition to provide near-live imagery from the International Space Station, while its later strategy emphasized scalable satellite constellations and commercial applications such as agriculture.
Space-based Earth observation · 2013
ISS Medium-Resolution Camera
Urthecast’s medium-resolution camera was installed on the International Space Station through the company’s partnership with Roscosmos. It was designed to observe objects approximately six metres across or larger and supported broad-area Earth imaging. The camera launched in 2013 and became operational in 2014. It formed one half of Urthecast’s distinctive ISS imaging system and helped demonstrate the company’s ambition to provide visual access to Earth from orbit.
Space-based Earth observation · 2013
ISS High-Resolution Camera
The high-resolution ISS camera was designed to capture objects of approximately one metre across. Alongside the medium-resolution camera, it supported Urthecast’s proposed near-live Earth-video and imagery services. The camera was launched in 2013 and became operational in 2014. Its finer resolution represented the more detailed imaging component of the ISS platform, although Urthecast later diversified its business through commercial satellites and geospatial analytics.
Earth-observation satellite
Deimos-1
Deimos-1 was an Earth-observation satellite acquired by Urthecast through its 2015 purchase of Deimos Imaging. It provided imagery at approximately 22 metres per pixel and was capable of covering about 650,000 square kilometres per day. The satellite gave Urthecast a broad-area imaging capability and formed part of the operating asset base later transferred to EarthDaily Analytics during the company’s restructuring.
Earth-observation satellite
Deimos-2
Deimos-2 was acquired with Deimos Imaging in 2015 and supplied much higher-resolution imagery than Deimos-1, at approximately 75 centimetres per pixel. Its reported daily coverage capability was about 150,000 square kilometres. The satellite strengthened Urthecast’s commercial high-resolution imagery portfolio and was included among the Deimos-related assets transferred to the successor business created by Antarctica Capital.
Planned satellite constellation
OptiSAR
OptiSAR was a planned 16-satellite constellation intended to combine optical imaging with synthetic-aperture radar. Urthecast presented the combined sensor architecture as a way to support Earth observation during both daytime and nighttime and in weather conditions that can limit conventional optical sensors. The project received support from the Canadian government’s Strategic Aerospace and Defense Initiative, but it did not become an operating Urthecast constellation before the company entered restructuring.
Planned multispectral satellite constellation · 2016
UrtheDaily
UrtheDaily was announced in 2016 as an eight-satellite multispectral constellation designed to image the Earth’s landmass every day at a planned resolution of approximately five metres per pixel. Urthecast contracted Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. to manufacture the satellites. The project was later transferred with related assets to EarthDaily Analytics after Urthecast’s insolvency proceedings, making it a strategic predecessor to the successor company’s Earth-observation plans rather than a completed Urthecast product.
Agricultural geospatial analytics
Geosys agricultural analytics
Geosys provided agricultural intelligence using satellite imagery and weather information. Its services included crop monitoring and yield forecasting, helping translate remote-sensing data into operational information for agriculture. Urthecast acquired Geosys from Land O’Lakes in 2018, broadening its business beyond satellite hardware and imagery toward sector-specific analytics. The Geosys activities became part of the assets and capabilities carried forward into EarthDaily Analytics.
Brand decisions
2021
Sell Deimos-related assets to an Antarctica Capital-led consortiumM&ABackground
The restructuring process required Urthecast to find a buyer for important operating businesses and related projects.
Action taken
A consortium led by Antarctica Capital Management agreed to acquire the Deimos Imaging business and related assets for US$3.2 million. The transaction closed on 26 February 2021 after court approval.
Aftermath
Antarctica Capital formed EarthDaily Analytics, which assumed the Deimos business and UrtheDaily project and retained most of Urthecast’s employees and customers.
Asset purchase price. US$3.2 million (Transaction announced and completed in February 2021)
2020
Enter creditor-protection proceedingsStrategyBackground
Urthecast reported that it could not secure sufficient financing or find a buyer for its assets in a difficult market environment affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Action taken
The company filed under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and sought recognition under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Aftermath
The proceedings led to the sale of key assets and the emergence of EarthDaily Analytics as the successor operating company.
2018
Acquire Geosys to expand agricultural analyticsM&ABackground
Urthecast pursued higher-value applications for Earth-observation data, particularly in agriculture.
Action taken
The company acquired Geosys from Land O’Lakes, adding crop-monitoring and yield-forecasting services based on satellite and weather data.
Aftermath
The acquisition strengthened Urthecast’s analytics and agriculture focus and contributed capabilities later carried into EarthDaily Analytics.
2016
Develop the UrtheDaily constellationProduct launchBackground
Urthecast aimed to provide frequent, consistent multispectral coverage for commercial and analytical applications.
Action taken
The company announced an eight-satellite constellation designed to image the world’s landmass daily at approximately five-metre resolution and engaged Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. for satellite manufacturing.
Aftermath
UrtheDaily remained a planned project and was later transferred to EarthDaily Analytics during Urthecast’s restructuring.
2015
Acquire Deimos Imaging and its satellite assetsM&ABackground
Urthecast sought to expand beyond its ISS camera project and obtain operating commercial Earth-observation satellites.
Action taken
The company acquired Deimos Imaging, including the Deimos-1 and Deimos-2 satellites.
Aftermath
The acquisition gave Urthecast broad-area and high-resolution satellite-imaging capabilities and an established commercial business.
Recent events
- 2021
Urthecast assets sold to consortium led by Antarctica Capital[1]
M&A · Bankruptcy
A consortium led by Antarctica Capital agreed to purchase Urthecast’s Deimos Imaging business and related assets for US$3.2 million, with the transaction closing on 26 February 2021.
- 2020
Urthecast seeks creditor protection[1]
Bankruptcy
Urthecast filed for protection under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and sought Chapter 15 protection in the United States after failing to secure sufficient financing or a buyer for its assets.
- 2018
Urthecast acquires Geosys[1]
M&A
Urthecast acquired Geosys from Land O’Lakes, adding agricultural monitoring and yield-forecasting capabilities based on satellite imagery and weather data.
- 2016
Urthecast announces the UrtheDaily satellite constellation[1]
Product launch
The company announced an eight-satellite multispectral constellation intended to image the world’s landmass daily at approximately five-metre resolution and contracted Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. to manufacture the satellites.
- 2015
Urthecast acquires Deimos Imaging[1]
M&A
Urthecast acquired the Spanish Earth-observation company Deimos Imaging and its Deimos-1 and Deimos-2 satellites, expanding its operating satellite portfolio.
- 2014
Urthecast’s ISS cameras become operational[1]
Product generation
The two cameras installed on the International Space Station entered operational service, supporting the company’s plan to deliver Earth imagery and video from orbit.
- 2013
Urthecast launches two Earth-observation cameras on the International Space Station[1]
Product launch
Urthecast’s medium-resolution and high-resolution cameras were launched for installation on the International Space Station as part of the company’s orbital-imaging initiative.
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