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 we celebrate the United Nations’ International Day of Human Space Flight, a day that commemorates cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s historic orbital flight in 1961. While the origin of this date is tied to the first human space flight (and is usually celebrated around the world with some rockin’, space-themed Yuri’s Night parties), […]
Dear Flock 3p, This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating your three year launch-anniversary. Can you believe it?! It was February 15th, 2017 in India and February 14th in San Francisco when you soared to the heavens on the PSLV rocket and spread your solar-powered wings. My how time flies (in space)! Not to […]
Planet launches every three to six months to keep its constellation of Earth imaging satellites replenished and flying the latest and greatest technologies. Following on the heels of the successful launch of Flock 4p in November of 2019, Planet’s first launch of 2020 will be on Arianespace’s European-made Vega rocket, a first […]
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 […]
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 […]
Planet is somewhat of a rarity for a company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Not only do we develop cutting-edge geospatial data, tools and products, but we also design, build and operate the world’s largest fleet of remote sensing satellites. We are also uniquely committed to building a workforce that considers many […]
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 […]
