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 […]

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 […]

On Sunday evening Pacific Time, 20,000 next-generation Dove satellites were successfully launched into orbit aboard ISRO’s PSLV-C45 rocket. (April Fools’! It was 20 satellites, not 20,000.) We’re happy to report that all 20 satellites have made contact and began the automated commissioning process (thanks, Planet Mission Control team!). All 20 satellites, Flock […]