12 SuperDove Satellites Hitching a Ride to Orbit on the PSLV

Twelve of Planet’s latest-generation SuperDoves, Flock 4p, are scheduled for launch on November 20, 2019, joining the 26 SuperDove prototypes already in orbit. This Flock will hitch a ride on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

As was recently unveiled at Planet Explore, the SuperDove line features increased spectral bands and major improvements in satellite performance.

The Flock 4p satellites have already been integrated into their deployers with the help of our launch integration partners at ISISpace in the Netherlands, and the satellites are now awaiting launch.

The Flock 4p mission patch, as designed by Planteer Sam Roy

Originally, the PSLV was developed so that India could launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into sun-synchronous orbits—a feat that was largely commercially unavailable in the launch industry until the PSLV’s first launch in 1993. Ever since, it has been known as a leading provider of rideshares for smallsats, proving to be versatile in its ability to launch to a variety of different missions.

Planet’s Flock 4p will mark the fifth launch of Planet satellites on India’s PSLV, and will be riding with India’s CartoSat-3 satellite as the PSLV-C47 mission’s primary payload. ISRO knows how to put on a good show when deploying our Doves, so stay tuned to Planet’s Twitter account (@planetlabs) for details on how to watch the live stream as we get closer to the launch date.