description SkySat-1 Overview
SkySat-1, launched in 2013 by Skybox Imaging (later acquired by Planet Labs), was one of the first commercial microsatellites capable of capturing sub-meter resolution imagery and short video clips from orbit.
insights Ranking position
SkySat-1 ranks #79 of 187 in the Satellite ranking, behind SMOS, ahead of NOAA-19.
help SkySat-1 FAQ
When was the SkySat-1 satellite launched?
SkySat-1 was successfully launched into orbit on November 21, 2013, aboard a Dnepr-1 rocket. It was the first satellite built by Skybox Imaging, a company that was later acquired by Planet Labs in 2014.
What made the SkySat-1 satellite unique compared to earlier commercial satellites?
Launched by Skybox Imaging, it was among the first commercial microsatellites capable of capturing sub-meter resolution imagery and short video clips. Before this, most commercial Earth observation satellites with similar capabilities were much larger and more expensive to build.
Can SkySat-1 record video from space?
Yes, SkySat-1 was specifically designed to capture high-definition video clips lasting up to 90 seconds from low Earth orbit. This video capability allowed the satellite to track moving objects like cars, ships, and airplanes.
What company built the SkySat-1 satellite?
The satellite was built by Skybox Imaging, a Silicon Valley startup that was later renamed Terra Bella. Google acquired the company in 2014 before it was subsequently sold to Planet Labs in 2017.
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