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Tanager 2 Launch to Scale Up Carbon Mapper's Methane Impact
The mission marks Planet’s 40th successful launch and begins commissioning of its first Google TPU test satellite and a new hyperspectral sensor.
- On Thursday, October 1, 2026, Planet Labs PBC launched 20 satellites aboard a SpaceX Transporter-18 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, including Google's Project Suncatcher demo, Tanager-2, and 18 SuperDoves.
- Developed with Carbon Mapper, Tanager-2 utilizes hyperspectral VSWIR imaging to detect methane emissions, continuing a partnership to scale Planet's fleet and make environmental data accessible and actionable.
- Project Suncatcher tests Tensor Processing Units in orbit while 18 SuperDoves joined Flock 4J to support global monitoring; this marks Planet's 40th successful launch and 718 total satellites delivered.
- Planet initiated commissioning for the new satellites immediately upon reaching orbit and expects contact with 16 SuperDoves scheduled to deploy from the D-Orbit ION orbital transfer vehicle on schedule.
- Expansion plans include building and deploying at least two additional broad-spectrum Tanager satellites to meet rising global demand for geospatial intelligence and rapid emissions transparency capabilities.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
Hastings Tribune+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Planet Launches Suncatcher, Tanager-2, and 18 SuperDove Satellites
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 1, 2026-
·Nebraska, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left0Leaning Right2Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution78% Center
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources are Center
78% Center
C 78%
R 22%
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