SpaceX Falcon 9 launches two new WorldView Legion satellites

On August 15, 2024, SpaceX launched two new WorldView Legion satellites via Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Florida.

WorldView Legion satellites are designed and built by Maxar Space Systems for Maxar Intelligence. These will provide enhanced and high-resolution imagery.

There are a total of six satellite launches planned for this constellation. In May, the company launched its first two WorldView satellites with a Falcon 9 rocket in California.

The addition of two new satellites will enhance its capabilities. With six satellites in orbit, Maxar can collect 30 cm-class and multispectral imagery. This constellation will capture more than 6 million sq km of imagery daily.

The 10 electro-optical Maxar satellites will observe the most rapidly changing areas on Earth within 20 to 30 minutes from sunrise to sunset.

The satellites use MAXAR 500 series buses produced at Maxar’s Palo Alto and San Jose, California facilities. This is a mid-size platform and it can be adjusted for multiple missions and orbits.

Therefore, the second pair is inserted in the mid-inclination orbit (MIO) and the initial two satellites are orbiting in low-Earth orbit. The second set will orbit around Earth’s mid-latitudes rather than over its poles in a sun-synchronous orbit. The final two satellites will also roam in MIO.

A multi-orbit constellation will help the company to capture imagery at different times. For example, satellites in sun-synchronous orbit will collect imagery from mid-morning to early afternoon.

However, MIO orbit will enable image collection throughout the day around the globe. This orbit will expand customers’ reach in more areas for quick and frequent views. Furthermore, it will provide better visibility in conditions including morning fog and cloudy days.

Mission details

Prior to launch preps, SpaceX confirmed that the weather was favorable for the liftoff and started loading propellant. The visuals shared on social media site X show that the company conducted this mission as planned and completed all milestones.

Following stage separation, the first stage maneuvered back to its landing zone trajectory and performed a burn as it deployed landing legs to stand on Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

(source – SpaceX)