Planet Labs Looks to Boost Pelican and Flock Constellations

Planet Labs is seeking FCC Space Bureau sign-off on plans to expand its Pelican and Flock earth-imaging constellations. In a bureau application Tuesday, it requested authorization to deploy 10 first-generation Pelicans instead of the already-authorized seven, to increase the total number of Flock satellites from 544 to 744, and to operate Pelicans at 350 km nominal altitude instead of 325 km. It said the addition of Pelicans would give it more time to develop and verify its next-generation satellite bus design and ease the transition for its high-resolution customers from the SkySat to Pelican satellites as some SkySats approach end of life due to a stronger than expected solar cycle. It said the additional Flocks would help provide continuity of service for customers of the constellation's medium-resolution imaging data.