The skies on Oct. 31 may feature a rocket blasting into space if conditions hold, according to Vandenberg Air Force Base officials.
A press release from the base announced it would launch an Orbital ATK Minotaur-C rocket carrying a Skybox imaging satellite from Space Launch Complex 576-E at 2:37 p.m. that day.
“Our unique geographic location makes Vandenberg an ideal place to launch commercial imaging satellites,” Space Launch Commander Col. Greg Wood said in the press release. “We are excited to partner with Orbital ATK to make this mission a reality.”
Orbital ATK is a defense and aerospace technology company headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, with several locations, including in Vandenberg and Goleta. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures.
The company recently announced an initial $24 million contract with Lockheed Martin to produce components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The satellite belongs to a company called Planet Labs Inc., a space and analytics company that “operates a fleet of earth imaging satellites,” according to Bloomberg.
Representatives for Planet Labs could not be reached before the Sun’s press time.
This article appears in Oct 26 – Nov 2, 2017.