Planet Labs set to launch largest satellite fleet in history

By on 18 March, 2014

Planet Labs satellite fleet

Californian Space-information company, Planet Labs, has confirmed launches for more than 100 satellites over the next 12 months, which it claims constitutes the largest constellation of satellites manifested in history.

This constellation will allow Planet Labs to image the whole earth every 24 hours. “We are imaging the planet to save the planet,” said Will Marshall, cofounder of Planet Labs. “Imaging the Earth at this frequency will help us to measure things from deforestation, to improving agricultural yield, to detecting overfishing. Our mission is to create information people need to help life on the planet.”

“Getting 100 satellites on the launch manifest is a major milestone in the new space industry,” said Steve Jurvetson, Managing Director at Draper Fisher Jurvetson and board member of Planet Labs and SpaceX. “The small form factor requires less space on the rocket, allowing for more flexibility for launch configurations. And a constellation of 100 satellites is unprecedented.”

These new launches will build on Planet Labs first 28 satellites, Flock 1, which were launched in January. They will launch on rockets from the USA and Russia.

You may also like to read:


, , , ,


Newsletter

Sign up now to stay up to date about all the news from Spatial Source. You will get a newsletter every week with the latest news.

Overture Maps Foundation releases transport dataset
The dataset includes 86 million km of roads worldwide and is...
Australia’s need for a Resilient PNT CRC
Leading geospatial experts say the time is right for Austral...
Hexagon to acquire GNSS specialist, Septentrio
Hexagon says the deal will help set new standards for accura...
Jamming-proof celestial navigation for drones
Australian researchers have developed a navigation system th...
User feedback sought on Digital Twin Victoria platform
Digital Twin Victoria is seeking input from the geospatial s...