Planet
Private sector seeks bigger role in NASA Earth science programs
Companies and organizations used a House hearing May 18 to advocate for a larger role in NASA’s Earth science programs, arguing their capabilities can complement NASA spacecraft.
Consortium unveils greenhouse gas monitoring constellation Carbon Mapper
A consortium led by the State of California, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Planet announced plans April 15 for a constellation of hyperspectral satellites to pinpoint, quantify and track point sources of methane and carbon dioxide.
SpaceX launches record-setting cluster of smallsats
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 143 small satellites for a wide range of customers Jan. 24 on the company's first dedicated rideshare mission, a service that poses a competitive threat to emerging small launch vehicles.
NGA adds Planet, BlackSky to imagery delivery system used by government agencies
Planet and BlackSky imagery will be added to NGA's unclassified system that delivers geospatial data to government agencies.
Rocket Lab launches 10 imaging smallsats
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket successfully placed 10 satellites into orbit for two customers who lost payloads on a launch failure earlier this year.
Planet unveils rapid revisit and change detection products
Planet announced a series of products including frequently updated SkySat imagery and automated change detection during Explore 2020, the San Francisco company’s second user conference.
Arianespace launches Vega on return-to-flight mission with 53 smallsats
European launch provider Arianespace conducted a successful return-to-flight mission of Vega, its light-lift rocket, on Sept. 2, completing the vehicle’s first launch in 14 months.
SpaceNet launches new challenge with Planet dataset
Competitors in SpaceNet 7 the Multi-Temporal Urban Development Challenge will have two months starting August 31st to devise change-detection algorithms to track building construction over time.
Falcon 9 reaches new reusability record during Starlink, SkySat launch
SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket Aug. 18 on a mission that reused the same first-stage booster for a sixth time, setting a new record for Falcon 9 booster reuse.
Manufacturers worry about smallsats getting too hot, literally
As small satellites become more powerful, manufacturers say they need better ways to manage excess heat generated by their electronics systems.
Analysts: NRO’s commercial imagery purchases could reach $400 million by 2023
A report from Quilty Analytics projects Maxar will retain the bulk of future NRO imagery contracts and emerging competitors Planet and BlackSky will gradually gain market share.
Planet unveils tasking and API for expanding SkySat fleet
Planet unveiled a cloud-based dashboard and API June 9 to allow customers to task the firm’s growing SkySat constellation.
D-Orbit preps for in-orbit transportation business with upcoming Arianespace and SpaceX launches
Bruno Carvalho, D-Orbit’s vice president of business development, said the company hopes to launch one of its InOrbit Now (ION) propulsive cubesat deployers every two to three months after proving out the system and lining up customers.
SpaceX rideshare program putting downward pressure on prices
Planet VP Mike Safyan: “We are seeing launch providers starting to get more creative.”
Planet’s next six satellites will launch on upcoming SpaceX Starlink missions
Six SkySat satellites will be evenly split across two Starlink launches on Falcon 9.
