On August 16th, Capella Space successfully launched its 15th mission, “Dreams Make Good Stories.” This milestone was achieved via SpaceX’s Transporter-11, which deployed our satellite into a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). In recognition of our collaboration with NASA, the mission patch draws inspiration from NASA’s Expedition 60, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The mission’s name pays homage to the dream that led to Capella’s inception and the compelling stories we now tell through our SAR data. We extend our gratitude to Exolaunch for their essential support in making this mission possible.
At 11:56 a.m. PT on Friday, August 16, Capella-15 lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 as part of the Transporter-11 mission. Just 12 minutes after Capella-15 deployed from the launch vehicle, we made first contact with the satellite at 2:42 p.m. PT. This prompt communication marked the beginning of a successful deployment and initial operations phase.
This mission marks Capella’s third satellite launch in 2024, occurring just five days after our “A Sky Full of SARs” mission on August 11th. It significantly expanded Capella’s constellation, enhancing our ability to support critical missions worldwide. Capella continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, both in space and on the ground. The first light SAR imagery from Capella-15 showcases higher-resolution, broader-swath data, covering key regions globally. Our advanced SAR data-processing capabilities set the industry standard, improving capacity and reducing latency across the constellation.
This launch marks the return by Capella to a polar orbit which provides global SAR coverage for key mission partners and applications such as ice monitoring and monitoring of ship traffic at high latitudes. As we forge a new frontier in world-class Earth observation and SAR data solutions, Capella Space is committed to bettering the world through our mission to Amplify Intelligence™. Our partnerships with Exolaunch and SpaceX were instrumental in this mission’s success, enabling us to deploy Capella-15 into its intended orbit. Together, we’re shaping the future of space and advancing our mission to deliver unmatched earth observation capabilities.
First light images available on our Open Data Gallery.
Stay tuned for more announcements about upcoming launches for Capella.
