On October 28, 2020 Rocket Lab successfully launched Flock 4e’, nine latest-generation SuperDoves, on the Electron rocket from their New Zealand launch site. The Flock 4e’ SuperDoves were deployed into an approximately 500 km, morning-crossing Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO), joining the rest of the constellation providing medium-resolution Earth imagery with unprecedented coverage […]
Planet’s next scheduled launch of Flock 4e’, a total of 9 SuperDoves on Rocket Lab’s Electron, is currently planned for the first half of October and will lift off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand. Emerging from the unfortunate launch accident of Flock 4e on […]
On July 4, 2020 (July 5 local time in New Zealand), Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket carrying Planet’s Flock 4e (five SuperDoves) suffered an anomaly preventing the successful launch and deployment of the satellite payloads. While it’s never the outcome that we hope for, the risk of launch failure is one Planet is […]
This June and July will be busy times for the Launch and Satellite Operations teams at Planet. In addition to the successful launch of three new SkySats this past Saturday (with three more launching this summer), we have another five SuperDoves (Flock 4e) launching on Rocket Lab’s “Pics or It Didn’t Happen” Electron launch later […]
It’s never been easier to launch satellites into space, and things are only getting better for satellite operators. A multitude of launch vehicles and orbits are available to satellite missions ranging from Kickstarter-funded garage efforts to serious commercial endeavours. Today, we’re recapping some of the most important launch trends of the last […]
Planet is a strong supporter of women in the space industry. We teamed up with Rocket Lab to create a mission patch honoring the first woman astronaut, Valentina Tereshkova; every year we send amazing women Planeteers to the Grace Hopper conference; and we strive to uphold diversity at all levels of the […]
Fifty-five years ago – on June 16 – Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman and first civilian to travel to space. A 26-year-old textile worker from a small town outside Moscow, Tereshkova broke down barriers for future generations of women to enter the space industry. Reflecting on her journey, she famously remarked: […]
As we begin the new year, I wanted to reflect on our 2017 milestones and our vector going into 2018. Last year was definitely an exciting year at Planet. The five highlights from my perspective were: Launching 146 satellites, including the record-breaking 88 Doves on a single rocket & 6 more SkySats, […]
On January 21, 2018 at 1:43 AM UTC, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle lifted off from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand and successfully deployed Dove Pioneer into an orbit of 300 x 500 km, 83 degree inclination. Rocket Lab Electron flight ‘Still Testing’ Lift Off. Image: […]
Last month, the Planet team successfully integrated one of our Dove satellites into a Rocket Lab Maxwell deployer to be flown on the 2nd orbital flight (aka “Still Testing”) of Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle. The launch is currently scheduled for December of this year and the rocket will drop off the […]
