SkySat – Spaceflight Now

Second Iranian satellite launch attempt in a month fails

February 11, 2019

Iran’s second try in less than a month to send a satellite into orbit apparently failed shortly after liftoff from a remote desert launch pad under daily surveillance from a fleet of commercial imaging spacecraft, according to U.S. government officials and independent analysts.

Iran admits failure in satellite launch attempt

January 16, 2019

An Iranian Simorgh rocket launch carrying an Earth observation spacecraft faltered before reaching orbit Tuesday after analysts used imagery from commercial U.S. satellites in recent weeks to track preparations for the mission.

Spaceflight preps for first launch of unique orbiting satellite deployers

August 23, 2018

Engineers working for Spaceflight, a Seattle-based launch services company, are in the final steps of preparing for the first launch of new robotic free flyers carrying more than 70 small government and commercial satellites into polar orbit later this year aboard a dedicated flight of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Photos: Minotaur-C rocket lifts off from California’s Central Coast

November 5, 2017

Orbital ATK’s Minotaur-C rocket delivered 10 satellites to orbit Oct. 31 after liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, marking the solid-fueled rocket’s return to flight — with a new name and upgrades — after a six-year hiatus.

Ten commercial Earth-observing satellites launched aboard Minotaur-C rocket

October 31, 2017

Returning to service after a six-year hiatus, Orbital ATK’s revamped Minotaur-C rocket soared into space Tuesday from California’s Central Coast with 10 commercial Earth-imaging spacecraft for Planet, a San Francisco-based company with a globe-spanning satellite fleet mapping the world’s land masses every day.

Photos: Minotaur-C rocket awaits liftoff from California

October 31, 2017

Standing on a seaside launch pad overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a Minotaur-C rocket is set for launch Tuesday from California’s Central Coast with 10 Earth observation satellites manufactured in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Live coverage: Minotaur-C rocket launches with cluster of satellites

October 31, 2017

Orbital ATK’s Minotaur-C rocket, formerly known as the Taurus, has launched for the first time in six years from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The solid-fueled launcher lifted off with 10 commercial Earth-imaging satellites at 2:37 p.m. PDT (5:37 p.m. EDT; 2137 GMT) Monday.

Timeline of Minotaur-C launch with SkySats and Doves

October 30, 2017

Orbital ATK’s Minotaur-C rocket will deliver 10 commercial Earth observations satellites into a 310-mile-high orbit for Planet during a 20-minute flight sequence.

Familiar rocket with new name returns to flight Tuesday

October 30, 2017

More than six years after back-to-back failures left the Taurus rocket with an uncertain future, a redesigned version of the launcher sporting a new name is set to loft 10 small Earth-imaging satellites into orbit Tuesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Planet acquires rival satellite company from Google

February 6, 2017

San Francisco-based Planet, a company with a fleet of miniature satellites in orbit looking down on Earth, has acquired Terra Bella from Google to add high-resolution imaging to its business portfolio.