SkySats 16-18 Successfully Launch Aboard The SpaceX Falcon 9

Jun 17, 2020 | Daily Space, SpaceX

IMAGE: Skysats 16, 17 and 18 are deployed as part of a rideshare agreement between Planet Inc. and SpaceX. Those satellites were released about 14 minutes ahead of the Starlink 8 stack of 58 satellites. CREDIT: Spacex webcast

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 at 9:21 am UTC with an additional 58 satellites for the growing Starlink constellation.

According to PlanetLab’s statement on the launch, the 3 SkySats will provide high-resolution imaging available “to a variety of governmental, commercial, academic, and non-profit organizations.” They’ll join a constellation of 15 other SkySats.

Usually, Starlink satellites are launched in batches of 60, but because of the rideshare agreement, there were only 58 Starlinks to make room for the 3 SkySats. This is the first rideshare of a Starlink launch, and there are more planned. 

The Starlink constellation now has 535 satellites with 418 launched this year.

More Information

Planet.com article 

SpaceNews article 

Spaceflight Now article 

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