Planet Labs adds 10 imagery satellites to its flock

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Planet Labs says its 10 new Earth-imaging satellites deployed successfully after launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

The San Francisco-based company says its mission control team has made contact will all of the satellites.

The six SkySat spacecraft and four miniature Dove satellites were launched Tuesday afternoon aboard an Orbital ATK Minotaur C rocket and placed in an orbit 310 miles above the Earth.

Planet Labs’ satellites provide imagery to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. In July, the agency announced a $14 million, one-year contract with the company to provide the intelligence community with new data sources and an extensive library of satellite imagery. NGA’s leaders have said they are exploring new ways to use the trove of information.

Following the launch, Planet Labs now has 13 SkySats and 190 Dove satellites in orbit.

Mike Gruss in Washington contributed to this report.

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