DigitalGlobe Seeks International Bureau OK for 12 Earth Observation Satellites

DigitalGlobe wants to add 12 non-geostationary remote-sensing satellites to its licensed Earth exploration satellite service (EESS) system. In an FCC International Bureau modification application Tuesday it said each block of six satellites would be put into orbit on two launches. It said the satellites will operate at altitudes of 450 to 870 km for the first part of their mission and then converge to nominal altitudes of 763 km or 518 km, depending on orbital plane, with that attitude convergence taking place during the first year of on-orbit operations. It said the first six WorldView-Legion satellites are under construction, and it received a NOAA license in January to operate the 12 as part of its EESS system.