Astro Digital Hopes to Launch First of Remote Sensing Constellation in Q2

Remote sensing company Astro Digital US (AD) hopes to launch as many as 100 satellites over a 15-year span, it said in an FCC International Bureau filing Monday. In its application for authority to launch and operate an earth-exploration satellite service system, AD said the low earth orbit Landmapper constellation will never exceed 30 satellites at any given time -- 10 broad-area coverage satellites and 20 high-definition satellites -- with each satellite having a lifespan of roughly five years. AD -- formerly Aquila Space -- said it applied for a license with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to operate the Landmapper constellation and received a NOAA license for the broad-area coverage part of the system and expects to have the remainder licensed by the end of Q2. It expects to launch the first two broad-area coverage satellites at the end of Q2, with the third and fourth going up later this year.