BlackSky Pathfinder-1 explained

BlackSky Pathfinder-1
Names List:Pathfinder 1
Mission Type:Earth Imaging
Operator:BlackSky Global[1]
Cospar Id:2016-059E
Satcat:41787
Website:http://www.blacksky.com/
Mission Duration:3 years (planned)
(in progress)
Spacecraft Bus:v
Manufacturer:LeoStella with Thales Alenia Space
Launch Date:26 September 2016,
03:42 UTC[2]
Launch Rocket:PSLV-C35
Launch Site:Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, First Launch Pad (FLP)
Launch Contractor:Indian Space Research Organisation
Orbit Reference:Geocentric orbit
Orbit Regime:Sun-synchronous orbit
Orbit Inclination:98.20°
Orbit Period:90.00 minutes
Apsis:gee
Programme:BlackSky constellation

BlackSky Pathfinder-1 is an Earth imaging satellite.[3] The satellite is equipped with payloads from Harris Corporation designed to image an area approximately .[4]

It is a demonstration satellite for BlackSky Global, a Seattle-based company intending to field a fleet of 60 spacecraft to offer on-demand high-resolution images of any place on the planet. The U.S.-built Earth observing platform weighed about, and will lay the foundation for BlackSky's commercial remote sensing business, which officials announced in June 2015. The main objective of the pathfinder is to return imagery, an achievement that would prove the basic technology behind the planned commercial Earth-observing satellite fleet. The satellite is designed for three-year lifetimes and will have an imaging resolution of about from an altitude of .[5]

This is first in a series of 30 satellites planned to deploy the BlackSky constellation that will provide near real-time images in about 90 minutes to produce images that are more current and wide-ranging to increase global transparency.[4]

The satellite was launched at 03:42 UTC on 26 September 2016 by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) using the PSLV-C35 launch vehicle.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BlackSky Global 1, 2, 3, 4 / BlackSky Pathfinder 1, 2. Space.skyrocket.de. 2016-09-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20161223003703/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/blacksky.htm. 2016-12-23. dead.
  2. Web site: Jodi Sorensen. Industries Celebrates Successful Launch of the BlackSky Pathfinder Satellite Aboard India's PSLV. Spaceflight. 2016-09-27. 18 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118223609/http://www.spaceflight.com/spaceflight-industries-celebrates-successful-launch-blacksky-pathfinder-satellite-aboard-indias-pslv/. dead.
  3. Web site: Boyle. Alan. Indian rocket sends BlackSky satellite into space. 26 September 2016 . Geekwire.com. 2016-09-27.
  4. Web site: Spaceflight Industries Celebrates Successful Launch of the BlackSky Pathfinder Satellite Aboard India's PSLV. 26 September 2016 . Business Wire. 2016-09-27.
  5. Web site: Display: Pathfinder 1 2016-059E. NASA. 10 February 2021. 19 February 2021.
  6. Web site: ISRO's PSLV-C35 places SCATSAT-1 into orbit; on its way to place seven others. The Hindu. 2016-09-27.