Mission accomplished! On January 13, 2022, our Flock 4x, consisting of 44 SuperDove satellites, was successfully launched into orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. These 44 satellites will join our existing fleet of roughly 200 satellites in orbit. We were thrilled to launch once again with SpaceX, who has now brought […]
We’re thrilled to announce a multi-year, multi-launch agreement with SpaceX, solidifying them as our go-to-launch provider through the end of 2025. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is the world’s most reliable and frequently-flown rocket that offers low-cost rideshare services, making SpaceX a natural choice for us. The first planned launch under this agreement is […]
The world’s largest fleet of high-resolution imaging satellites just welcomed three new satellites to the family. On August 18, 2020, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched SkySats 19, 20 and 21 on yet another successful Starlink rideshare mission. Much like SkySats 16-18, which were launched by SpaceX on June 13, 2020, SkySats 19-21 […]
On June 13, 2020, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully lofted three of Planet’s high-resolution imaging SkySats along with a batch of its Starlink communications satellites. SkySats 16, 17 and 18 were successfully deployed into a drop-off orbit of 205 x 380 km, 53 degree inclination. Planet’s launch operations team has successfully acquired […]
Planet is set to launch six more SkySat satellites (SkySats 16-21) into Low Earth Orbit this summer, rounding out the fleet of 15 SkySats already in operation. SkySats 1-15 operate in Sun Synchronous Orbits, a specific type of Low Earth Orbit that results in the Earth’s surface always being illuminated by the […]
Today, 12 SuperDove satellites (Flock 4p) were successfully launched and deployed into a 500 kilometer Sun Synchronous Orbit by India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). This marks 25 successful launches for Planet and our 407th satellite launch attempt. Shortly thereafter, Planet’s Mission Operations team successfully made contact with all twelve satellites and […]
Pancakes are a big deal at Planet. Ever since the launch of Flock 1 in 2014—Planeteers have taken to the frying pan in preparation for each launch event. Originally, the need for pancakes was serendipitous: Planet’s first constellation launch happened at breakfast time on the west coast. The team had been staying […]
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 […]
An exciting end to another strong year for Planet! Yesterday, 12 next-generation Dove satellites – Flock 3k – were successfully launched on a Soyuz rocket out of Vostochny Cosmodrome and deployed into an approximately 500 km Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). We’re thrilled to announce that our Mission Control Team has made contact […]
On the heels of two successful launches, we’re wrapping up 2018 with another launch of 12 Dove satellites, our Flock 3k, on a Soyuz rocket. The launch is currently scheduled for December 27, 2018 from Vostochny Cosmodrome and the Doves will be deployed into a sun-synchronous orbit with a morning crossing time. […]
