On August 15, 2024, SpaceX is set to launch the WorldView Legion 3 and 4 satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This mission will expand Maxar Technologies’ Earth observation capabilities, which include national security, disaster response, and commercial mapping.
Maxar Technologies is a leading provider of advanced space solutions, including Earth intelligence and space infrastructure. The company specializes in high-resolution satellite imagery, geospatial data, and analytics, which are used across multiple industries. Maxar’s Earth observation satellites, including the WorldView series, are known for their ability to capture incredibly detailed images of the Earth’s surface, enabling a wide range of applications from mapping to monitoring global change.
The WorldView Legion constellation is Maxar’s next-generation series of Earth observation satellites. Once fully deployed, the constellation will consist of six satellites, enhancing Maxar’s ability to deliver 30 cm-class high-resolution imagery. This is the second pair of WorldView Legion satellites to be launched, following the first two satellites that were launched earlier this year.
These satellites are designed to operate in mid-inclination orbits (MIO) and sun-synchronous orbits (SSO), offering a unique advantage in terms of temporal diversity. By operating in both types of orbits, Maxar can collect images at different times of the day, improving the ability to monitor rapidly changing environments and providing better coverage of areas often obscured by factors like morning fog.
The mission will use the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carry the WorldView Legion 3 and 4 satellites to a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). Each satellite weighs approximately 750 kg, and the combined payload for this launch is 1,500 kg. The satellites will provide 30 cm-class resolution imagery, which is among the highest resolution available for commercial use. This level of detail is essential for applications like mapping, urban planning, and disaster response, where precise and up-to-date information is crucial.
The Falcon 9 Block 5 is a highly reliable and reusable rocket designed by SpaceX. It is capable of delivering large payloads to a variety of orbits. The rocket’s first stage booster is designed to return to the launch site after delivering its payload, further reducing the cost of space access through reusability.
