DigitalGlobe's WorldView-3 commercial remote sensing satellite

Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services (LMCLS) has successfully launched DigitalGlobe’s WorldView-3 commercial remote sensing satellite aboard the 57-long Atlas V 401 configuration launch vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US.

The latest event marks the 118th consecutive successful Atlas launch, the fourth successful launch in six weeks and the 87th successful mission since the establishment of ULA in December 2006.

Claimed to be the first multi-payload, super-spectral, high-resolution commercial satellite for earth observations and advanced geospatial solutions, WorldView-3 will operate at an anticipated altitude of 617km and gather imagery with a 31cm resolution.

With an average revisit time of less than one day, the spacecraft will be able to accumulate up to 680,000km² of imagery a day, further enhancing DigitalGlobe’s capacity for rapid and reliable collection.

"LMCLS worked very closely with United Launch Alliance and DigitalGlobe to ensure a successful launch within the originally contracted launch window."

LMCLS president Robert Cleave said: "We began this journey several years ago with our client DigitalGlobe, with the single focus of achieving mission success coupled with date-certain revenues for WorldView-3.

"As the prime contractor for this launch, LMCLS worked very closely with our subcontractor, United Launch Alliance, as well as DigitalGlobe, to ensure a successful launch within the originally contracted launch window."

WorldView-3 expands DigitalGlobe constellation’s range of customer applications with its ability to sense both the visible spectrum and deeper into the infrared spectrum.

During its planned seven and a half year life, the satellite will deliver advanced Earth imagery to the commercial market. This imagery will have better clarity and enhanced spectral depth.

Cleave added: "Our customers value the quality and reliability that the Atlas V, the best launcher in the business, has delivered time and time again."


Image: The launch of DigitalGlobe’s WorldView-3 commercial remote sensing satellite aboard 57m-long Atlas V launch vehicle. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin/United Launch Alliance.

Defence Technology