BlackSky Pathfinder 1, 2

BlackSky Pathfinder 1 [Spaceflight Services]

The BlackSky constellation of 1 m resolution earth observation microsatellites will be deployed by BlackSky Global.

The satellites feature the SpaceView-24 imaging system built by Harris Corp.'s Exelis with an aperture of 24 cm It has a ground resolution of 0.9 - 1.1 m from an orbital height of 500 km. They have a onboard propulsion for a 3 year orbital life. The satellites are built by Spaceflight Services based on their SCOUT bus.

The Block 1 Pathfinder satellites are capable to take up to 20 images per day in stills mode in four bands.

Two pasphinder satellites, BlackSky Pathfinder 1 and 2 were built to evaluate the systems. BlackSky Pathfinder 1 was launched into a synchroneous orbits on multi satellite launches on a PSLV-G (3) in September 2016. The second satellite, BlackSky Pathfinder 2 was built and was planned for a launch on a Falcon-9 v1.2 later in 2017. As the first satellite reached all goals, it was deceided not to launch the second satellite and contionue with the operational satellites.

Four more improved satellites named BlackSky 1 to 4 followed in 2018 and 2019.

A initial constellation of 60 satellites is planned for 2021 that will be replaced every three years. The first six satellites have been funded by September 2015.