Planet Labs launches two more earth observation satellites

In April 2013 Planet Labs launched two demonstration satellites, “Dove 1” and “Dove 2”.  Yesterday two more satellites Dove 3 and Dove 4 were placed into orbit by a Dnepr rocket. 

It appears the Dove-3 and 4 mission is a technology demonstration.   They will operate from longer lived sun synchronous orbits. Both satellites are licensed to collect images of the Earth and will undertake an experimental mission in an 800 km by 597 km and a 700 km circular orbit, respectively.  Dove 3 conforms to the 3U cubesat specification, with a launch mass of 5.2 kg. Basic physical dimensions are 100 mm × 100 mm × 340 mm, with two 260 mm × 300 mm deployable solar arrays.  Power storage is provided by Lithium-Ion cells. The batteries will be recharged by solar cells mounted on the body of the satellite and on the two deployable solar panels.

Geoff Zeiss

Geoff Zeiss

Geoff Zeiss has more than 20 years experience in the geospatial software industry and 15 years experience developing enterprise geospatial solutions for the utilities, communications, and public works industries. His particular interests include the convergence of BIM, CAD, geospatial, and 3D. In recognition of his efforts to evangelize geospatial in vertical industries such as utilities and construction, Geoff received the Geospatial Ambassador Award at Geospatial World Forum 2014. Currently Geoff is Principal at Between the Poles, a thought leadership consulting firm. From 2001 to 2012 Geoff was Director of Utility Industry Program at Autodesk Inc, where he was responsible for thought leadership for the utility industry program. From 1999 to 2001 he was Director of Enterprise Software Development at Autodesk. He received one of ten annual global technology awards in 2004 from Oracle Corporation for technical innovation and leadership in the use of Oracle. Prior to Autodesk Geoff was Director of Product Development at VISION* Solutions. VISION* Solutions is credited with pioneering relational spatial data management, CAD/GIS integration, and long transactions (data versioning) in the utility, communications, and public works industries. Geoff is a frequent speaker at geospatial and utility events around the world including Geospatial World Forum, Where 2.0, MundoGeo Connect (Brazil), Middle East Spatial Geospatial Forum, India Geospatial Forum, Location Intelligence, Asia Geospatial Forum, and GITA events in US, Japan and Australia. Geoff received Speaker Excellence Awards at GITA 2007-2009.

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