There are many steps involved in getting a spacecraft ready for launch. But when we launch from India from the PSLV, there is one extra step: the coconut ceremony. Breaking a coconut has much significance in the Hindu religion. It usually marks an auspicious occasion like weddings or festival, or the start of a new … Continued
Read MorePathfinder-1 Mission Blog #3 Question: What do you call a high resolution telescopic camera that is sitting on top of 241 Metric Tons (532,000 lbs) of explosives? Answer: Pathfinder-1! Pathfinder-1 is now fueled, integrated to the separation system, and sitting 120 feet above the ground on top of the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). … Continued
Read MorePathfinder-1 Arrives in India! I am pleased to report that Pathfinder-1 has passed all checkout tests, and is ready to proceed to fueling and integration on the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) later this week! This milestone reflects the hard work in designing, building, and testing the Pathfinder spacecraft. So congratulations to the team … Continued
Read MoreNick Merski is the Constellation Program Manager for BlackSky, working to launch the planned 60-satellite constellation. The first two microsats, Pathfinder 1 and 2, will be launched into sun synchronous orbits, with the first launch later this month. They’ll pave the way for the full constellation that will deliver high resolution satellite imaging at an … Continued
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