Planet’s Latest Batch of SuperDoves Deliver First Light

On January 24, 2021, SpaceX successfully delivered 48 Planet SuperDoves to orbit on their Transporter-1 flight. This record-breaking launch deployed 143 satellites into orbit — the most ever on a single mission. Once in orbit, our SuperDoves set out to break some records of their own. Just 58 hours from launch, Planet’s newest batch of satellites began capturing and downlinking imagery — our quickest turnaround time to date for this fleet, enabled by our continued improvements in automated commissioning workflows.

With the latest and most advanced technology onboard, these SuperDoves are set to deliver improved image quality and sharpness. Plus, they’re equipped with additional bands that will unlock new types of analysis and modelling in verticals like agriculture and forestry. 

Scroll on for a peak at first light from Flock 4s and visit our Monitoring page to learn more about these satellites and their mission. 

Thiladhunmathi Atoll, Maldives. Collected on January 29, 2021. © 2021, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia collected on January 27, 2021. © 2021, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Desert landscape, Semnan, Iran. Collected January 29, 2021. © 2021, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.