Satellogic contract with SpaceX to launch its 68 earth observation satellites. This is a multiple launch agreement signed with Satellogic that builds and manages its own spacecraft, along with marketing the data that is collected. With vertical integration, the costs will be reduced and the company can provide data at a more affordable price.
SpaceX shares this view on decreasing the cost of access to space and so manufactures its own launch vehicles and spacecraft. Satellogic recently launched five additional spacecraft to sun-synchronous orbit on SpaceX’s Transporter-4 mission. The firm currently operates 22 high-resolution satellites. With the additional 68 launches, the company will be able to remap the entire surface of the planet in high resolution and with high frequency.
Satellogic is planning to launch additional satellites each quarter, aiming to reach a constellation of over 200 satellites by 2025. The company aims to provide daily sub-meter resolution imagery of the entire surface of the globe revisiting points of interest 40 times a day. In April, SpaceX launched 5 Satellogic satellites atop a Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-4 rideshare mission. To date, Satellogic operates 22 high-resolution EO satellites. “Following our previous launch successes with SpaceX, we are pleased to have signed this MLA to continue our work together in 2023 and beyond,” said Co-Founder and CEO of Satellogic Emiliano Kargieman. “Today’s announcement ensures that we will be able to continue to launch our satellites as they are produced and that we remain on track to collect every square meter of the Earth’s surface every week in 2023, providing our customers with the most up-to-date, reliable high-resolution data source on a global scale. Expanding our capacity is crucial to making Earth Observation data affordable and accessible for everyone.”
Earth observation data
Earth-observation satellites enable organizations to have aerial views of our planet from space that helps to assess a wide range of situations. Images captured by EO satellites can help global governments with national security and keep civilians safe when disaster strikes. On May 6, Satellogic shared some high-resolution images captured by its satellites of Ukraine amid the war with Russia that show the recent destruction of the city of Mariupol. “Ukraine authorities announced a city-wide evacuation of Mariupol this week. These images show infrastructure damage over the last few weeks. Continuous EO [Earth Observation] monitoring provides a dynamic view of changing ground conditions to inform rescue operations,” they captioned the photographs. Satellogic says that “SpaceX’s frequent launch schedule will help Satellogic accomplish its goals to significantly grow its constellation.”
Ukraine authorities announced a city-wide evacuation of #Mariupol this week. These images show infrastructure damage over the last few weeks. Continuous #EO monitoring provides a dynamic view of changing ground conditions to inform rescue operations. pic.twitter.com/uU7R40hd4A
— Satellogic (@Satellogic) May 6, 2022
