Wed, Sep 28, 2016
Paves The Way For 60-Satellite Constellation To Deliver High-Resolution Satellite Imaging
The BlackSky Pathfinder-1 satellite was successfully launched into a sun synchronous orbit from India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Monday.
The Spaceflight Industries launch team confirmed reliable, successful signal acquisition and is continuing to monitor communications from its operations center in Seattle.
“This is a major accomplishment for our company – one that we’ve been steadily working towards since we conceived of the BlackSky business in 2013,” said Jason Andrews, chief executive officer of Spaceflight Industries. “The Pathfinders will provide us critical insight into how our early architecture performs from space so we can continue to improve and expand upon our technology. Meanwhile, the satellites are a testament to the future capabilities of the BlackSky constellation to support the activities essential to satellite imaging, such as tasking, collecting, processing and distributing images.”
Built by Spaceflight Industries, Pathfinder-1 and 2 are key demonstration satellites for BlackSky’s planned 60-satellite constellation. (Pathfinder-2 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.) The first three commercially operational satellites are scheduled for launch in 2017, with the complete constellation on orbit by 2020.
The Pathfinder earth imaging satellites are approximately the size of a mini refrigerator and weigh 50 kg. Equipped with payloads from Harris Corporation, they are designed to image an area approximately 4.4km x 6.6km at 1-meter resolution. By using the BlackSky global intelligence platform, customers can access a wide range of satellite data and geospatial imagery. Once deployed, the BlackSky constellation will provide near real-time images in about 90 minutes for approximately $90, a price that is currently unmatched in the market. The ability to pass over areas of interest at an hourly revisit rate will produce images that are more current and wide-ranging to increase global transparency.
(Images provided with BlackSky Industries news release)
More News
“Achieving PMA for the S-1200 Series magnetos is another step in expanding our commitment to providing the aviation community with the most trusted and durable ‘firewal>[...]
Also: Bell 505 on SAF, NYPA Gets Flak For BizAv 'Abuse', FAA Venezuela Caution, Horizon Update Textron Aviation has confirmed it will be ending production of the Beechcraft Bonanza>[...]
State-Of-The-Art Common Automation Platform To Replace Legacy Systems The FAA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the initiative of the Trump Administration and U.>[...]
Kunsan Air Base Reported the Accident During Routine Operations The US Air Force has confirmed that it lost an MQ-9 Reaper drone to the South Korean waters on November 24. The airc>[...]
PowerUp S-1200 Series Approved, Available for 4- And 6-Cylinder Engines Hartzell Engine Tech announced it received FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval for its PowerUp S-1200 Series air>[...]
Aero-News: Quote of the Day (11.27.25)
See All