Deimos was one of the two natural satellites of Mars, the other being Phobos. Its name means "dread" in Greek.

In the preparations for the Second Martian Revolution, it was feared that it would be used as a weapons platform. A team led by Sax Russell and Peter Clayborne landed on it and placed automated diggers and attitude jets. The diggers expelled matter and thrust it away from Deimos. Due to mass loss, Deimos's orbit expanded until it left Mars's attraction entirely.