Planet Labs PBC , a leading provider of daily data and insights about change on Earth,  announced the successful launch of Pelican-11, the tech demonstration satellite  for the second generation of its high-resolution Pelican™ fleet. The spacecraft was launched to orbit aboard the Transporter-17 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Planet has successfully made initial contact with the satellite and has begun the commissioning process.

As a dedicated engineering pathfinder, Pelican-11 is designed to validate new technologies and capabilities prior to their integration onboard Planet’s upcoming second generation (Gen 2) Pelicans. Building on Gen 1 Pelicans’ ability to capture up to 50 cm class resolution imagery, Gen 2 are designed to provide up to 30 cm class imagery. In alignment with Planet’s approach to Agile Aerospace, this tech demonstration satellite is expected to allow rapid hardware testing and calibration in the space environment, helping upcoming production fleets scale seamlessly. Pelican-11 is not anticipated to produce commercially available data.

Source:BusinessWire