This rocket just launched a record-number of satellites to space
A rocket loaded down with a record number of satellites just launched on its way to orbit.
The Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) blasted off on Tuesday at 10:58 p.m. ET to bring 104 satellites to space, the largest clutch of spacecraft ever launched by one rocket.
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This launch beats out the previously record set by a Russian rocket that brought 37 satellites to orbit in 2014.
The PSLV's main payload is an Earth-mapping satellite for India, but its largest haul is the 88 small Dove satellites for the Earth-observing company Planet.
Those satellites, once functioning in orbit, will allow Planet to image the entire Earth every day, when combined with data beamed back to engineers from 12 other Doves and RapidEye satellites operated by the U.S. company.
Imaging the whole Earth every day has been the company's goal (nicknamed "Mission One") since it was founded in 2010.
"We've had a lot of launches under our belts but this is the one that we feel really defines Mission One," Mike Safyan, Planet's director of launch and regulatory affairs, said in an interview before launch.
"It's a pretty special feeling to think back [to] all those years ago when we were a scrappy team inside a garage dreaming about this day, and now this day has finally come."
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, imaged 2 days ago. 88 more Doves are set to launch from here today. https://t.co/kJH1BLzMTc pic.twitter.com/niJgeUXb85
— Planet (@planetlabs) February 14, 2017
Being able to photograph the entire Earth every day will allow customers using Planet's data to keep close track of a number of things. One possible use of the data is in tracking deforestation, Safyan said.
Instead of just seeing one area every couple of months, tracking changes to a specific part of the world on a daily basis will allow people on the ground to actually do something about any illegal deforestation occurring.
"If everyday you're getting an alert where trees are going down where they aren't allowed to be harvested or cut down, then you can actually go and send someone and do something about it," Safyan added.
This marks the 15th Dove launch for Planet and will give the company a total of 100 of these satellites in orbit.
