Planet Labs Will Send NASA-Inspired CubeSats into Space

A CubeSat, or cube-shaped satellite, is a mini-satellite that is sent into orbit and used for space research. CubeSats typically have a volume of one quart and weigh up to three pounds. Now, Planet Labs, Inc., a company in San Francisco, plans to launch 24 CubeSats into space.

Planet Labs is a team of scientists, engineers, and developers that build and utilize space technology and computer systems. In fact, their three founders previously worked at NASA. Chris Boshuizen was at NASA Ames; Will Marshall was at NASA/USRA; and Robbie Schingler was the Chief of Staff for NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist.

Their CubeSats will be sent out in the next few days and will orbit Earth at an altitude of 240 - 400 miles. Their mission is to retrieve pictures from all around the world in order to help provide answers to environmental issues, which include weather, agriculture, animal population, etc.

"NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative provides opportunities for small satellite payloads to fly on rockets planned for upcoming launches," as stated on NASA's website. The CubeSats are flown on previously planned missions, and Planet Labs' satellites will be sent out by the International Space Station. However, there is an approval process for the deployment of CubeSats. NASA requires the satellite investigations to be consistent with their Strategic Plan and the Education Strategic Coordination Framework, which implies that the CubeSat research should be parallel with subjects of science, exploration, technology development, education or operations.

Thus far in its history, the initiative has deployed CubeSats from 25 states, hoping to provide important information for U.S. industries and other sectors that could benefit from pictures taken high above the Earth's atmosphere.

Planet Labs' mission is called the "Flock 1" satellite fleet and is the world's largest constellation of Earth-imaging satellites, with four being deployed yesterday and the next 24 being deployed over the next few days.

To read more about CubeSats and Planet Labs, Inc., visit this Space.com article.