Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
Declassified spy satellite images, spaceport updates, and more!
Sky art drawn by the last built Boeing 747 - 2023-02-01
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
The last built [Boeing 747](https://www.boeing.com/commercial/747/), affectionally known as the 'Queen of the Skies', drew this sky art of '747' and a crown on its first flight from Everett, Washington to Cincinnati, Ohio. Flight path data from FlightRadar24: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/5y747 Processed in QGIS
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#Aviation #Boeing #747 #Sky Art
Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center - 2022-05-05
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
50cm resolution imagery of [Launch Complex 39A](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_Space_Center_Launch_Complex_39A) at the Kennedy Space Center. [SpaceX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX) is building an orbital launch site for [Starship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starship) just east of the current Falcon 9 launch pad (see my comment below). Image © CNES 2022, Distribution AIRBUS DS
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Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China - 1981-02-20
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
[Xichang Satellite Launch Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xichang_Satellite_Launch_Center) and the surrounding area imaged by a [KH-9 spy satellite](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-9.htm) on 1981-02-20 at a 0.6-1.2m/2-4ft resolution. Data downloaded from [USGS Earth Explorer](https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov) and processed with QGIS. Some metadata: - Entity ID: D3C1216-401299F007 - Acquisition Date: 1981/02/20 - Mission: 1216-4 - Frame Number: 7 - Image Type: Black and White - Camera: F - Camera Resolution: 2 to 4 feet - Film Type: 6 - Generation: 2 - Polarity: Negative - Operations Number: 1299
climate
Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia - 1966-04-25.
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
[Plesetsk Cosmodrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plesetsk_Cosmodrome) as seen by a [KH-7 spy satellite](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-7.htm) on 1966-04-25 at a 0.6-1.2m/2-4ft resolution. Data downloaded from [USGS Earth Explorer](https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov) and processed with QGIS. Some metadata: - Entity ID: DZB00402700093H001001 - Acquisition Date: 1966/04/25 - Mission: 4027 - Frame: 1 - Image Type: 1 - Camera Type: KH-7 High Resolution Surveillance - Camera Resolution: 2 to 4 feet - Film Type: 9 inch by variable - Generation: 3 - Segment Count: 3 - Polarity: Negative - Operations Number: 00093
history
#Russia #Cold War #Cosmodrome
The World Largest Aeroplane at Mojave, California - 2022-10-14
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
[Stratolaunch's](https://www.stratolaunch.com/) [Roc](https://www.stratolaunch.com/vehicles/roc/) aircraft was captured out on the runway at [Mojave Air and Space Port](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojave_Air_and_Space_Port) after a recent taxi test. With a wingspan of 117m (385ft), [Roc](https://www.stratolaunch.com/vehicles/roc/) is the world's largest aeroplane and will be used to carry hyersonic research vehicles up to high altitudes before they are released to fly under their own power. Stratolaunch also plan to develop a Space Plane in the future, which Roc will carry up to high altitudes before releasing them. **Pleiades NEO Image © Airbus DS 2022** Includes content sourced via SkyWatch Space Applications Inc.
transport - imagery
#California #Aviation #30cm #Stratolaunch
Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center - 2022-08-28
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
30cm/pixel satellite imagery of [Launch Complex 39A](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_Space_Center_Launch_Complex_39A) at the Kennedy Space Center. [SpaceX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX) is currently building an orbital launch site for [Starship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starship) on the eastern side of this launch complex. Satellite imagery is one of the best ways to track the progress of this construction. Click on my comment below for an analysis. **Pleiades NEO Image © Airbus DS 2022** Includes content sourced via SkyWatch Space Applications Inc.
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Possible Satellite Calibration Targets Under Construction - 2022-09-20
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
This 50cm/pixel imagery taken on September 20th, 2022 shows what appear to be satellite calibration targets under construction about 19km southeast of Dongfeng, the home of Chian's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Images © CNES 2022, Distribution AIRBUS DS Processed in QGIS and Photoshop
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SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster at The Port of Long Beach - 2022-08-01
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
SpaceX's Falcon 9 booster 'B1071' led horizontal before being transferred onto a barge and being shipped back to Vandenberg Space Force Base. SpaceX has recently started transporting boosters back to Vandenberg after they launch from there and land downrange on a droneship. It is assumed that this is to save on trucking them back through Los Angeles. You can read the Twitter thread I made about this [here](https://twitter.com/Harry__Stranger/status/1507899388743483392?s=20&t=9O2vvqz3uY9qmmWelvQ5lQ) B1071 launched a Starlink mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on July 22nd before it landed downrange on one of SpaceX's three droneships, Of Course I Still Love You. We saw OCISLY arriving with B1071 [here](https://api.soar.earth/short/17906aor41) Processed in QGIS and Photoshop. Image © CNES 2022, Distribution AIRBUS DS
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Space Launch Complex 40 - 2023-01-03
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
A Planet SkySat captured SpaceX's Space Launch Complex 40 at 15:15:53 UTC. This was just 19 minutes after a Falcon 9 rocket launched the Transporter-6 mission which flew 114 payloads to orbit. Image © 2023 Planet Labs PBC. Includes content sourced via SkyWatch Space Applications Inc.
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#SpaceX #Rocket #Florida
Falcon 9 Booster & Fairings being offloaded at Vandenberg SFB - 2023-05-06
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
This 50cm/pixel image taken on 2023-05-06 at 19:06:10 UTC shows a [SpaceX](https://www.spacex.com/) [Falcon 9](https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-9/) booster after being offloaded from a barge at [Vandenberg Space Force Base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandenberg_Space_Force_Base) in California. Also seen are two fairing halves about to be offloaded from the barge. These peices of hardware are transported to Vandeberg SFB from the Port of Long Beach. SpaceX started using this method of transport in early 2022. This is the first time we've seen this offloading process in this resolution. © CNES 2023, Distribution AIRBUS DS
imagery
#SpaceX #Vandenberg #California #Rocket
Rocket Lab Development and Test Site - 2023-03-14
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
This 30cm/pixel satellite image taken on 2023-03-14 shows [Rocket Lab's](https://www.rocketlabusa.com/) development and test site in New Zealand. The site is used to test rocket engines and tank sections. Imagery © AIRBUS DS 2023 Includes content sourced via SkyWatch Space Applications Inc.
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#Rocket Lab # New Zealand # 30cm
Adana, Turkey - 2023-02-14 - International Space Station Imagery
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
A mosaic made up of 23 images taken by [JAXA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JAXA) astronaut [Koichi Wakata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koichi_Wakata), as the International Space Station passed over Turkey on 2023-02-14. **Metadata** - Camera: Nikon D5 - Focal Length: 1150mm - F-stop: f/8 - Exposure: 1/1600 sec - ISO: 400 The georeferencing isn't perfect as this is such a large image, but I hope it's close enough to still be helpful! Imagery downloaded from [Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth](https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/). mosaiced in Photoshop, and georeferenced in QGIS
imagery
#Turkey #ISS #Astronaut
Bribie Island Split - 2022-10-29
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
[Bribie Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bribie_Island), an island off the coast of Australia's Sunshine Coast, is seen in this 75cm/pixel imagery. In January of 2022 high tides and strong waves caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth caused the island to 'split' near the northern tip. 10 months later this split is still clearly seen. A great article on this event, and coastal erosion [here](https://blog.csiro.au/will-coastal-erosion-take-a-toll/) by CSIRO. This image was ordered through [SkyFi](https://www.skyfi.com/) Imagery: CG Satellite
climate - geology - imagery
#Australia #Bribie Island #Erosion #Coastal #Weather
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona - 1984-09-17
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
[Davis-Monthan Air Force Base](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis%E2%80%93Monthan_Air_Force_Base) and the surrounding area imaged by a [KH-9 spy satellite](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-9.htm) on 1984-09-17 at a 0.6-1.2m/2-4ft resolution. Data downloaded from [USGS Earth Explorer](https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov) and processed with QGIS. Some metadata: - Entity ID: D3C1219-200791F005 - Acquisition Date: 1984/09/17 - Mission: 1219-2 - Frame Number: 5 - Image Type: Black and White - Camera: F - Camera Resolution: 2 to 4 feet - Film Type: 6 - Generation: 2 - Polarity: Positive - Operations Number: 791
history - imagery
Blue Origin's Launch Site One - 2022-10-02
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
[Launch Site One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_Ranch), also known as Corn Ranch, is [Blue Origin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Origin)'s rocket development and launch facility just north of [Van Horn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Horn,_Texas) in western Texas. Launch Site One is home to the launch and landing facilities for the [New Shepard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Shepard) rocket, which flies paying customers to space on a suborbital flight. There are also engine test stands for the [BE-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BE-3) and [BE-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BE-4) engine variants. You can view my Felt map site here: https://felt.com/map/Blue-Origins-Corn-Ranch-hDmTaXM4TAuo6iLj7KPAEB Imagery source: CG Satellite
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#Blue Origin #Spaceflight #CG Satellite #75cm
Espacio Lejano Station (Far Space Station), Argentina
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
Located in the Neuquen Province of Argentina, Espacio Lejano Station is a radio tracking station operated by CNSA (Chinese National Space Administration). This station is home to a 35-meter antenna used to send and receive signals from spacecraft at the Moon, Mars and more in future. This 30cm/pixel resolution image was acquired as a part of Soar.Earth's new monthly community poll that takes place on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Soar_Earth?s=20&t=UQ0fcccmZXCjCI5eJ5-QzA). Each month users can vote for a 50sqkm location that will be imaged by a high resolution satellite and uploaded to Soar.Earth. Imagery source: CG Satellite
imagery
Pacific Spaceport Complex, Alaska - 2023-01-26
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
See my previous image on this event [here](https://api.soar.earth/short/179070a677) On January 10, 2023 at 23:27:30 UTC[ ABL's](https://ablspacesystems.com/) [RS1 Flight 1 rocket](https://ablspacesystems.com/rs1/) launched for the first time. About 10 seconds after liftoff the rocket experienced an anomaly causing it to fall back onto the launch pad. ABL confirmed that the explosion "caused damage to nearby equipment and facilities", including "fuel and water storage tanks, pad communications equipment...". This high resolution satellite imagery of Launch Pad 3C, show's the aftermath of the failure and confirms [ABL's press release](https://ablspacesystems.com/news/flight-1-l7-update/). Click my comment below for annotations: This image was tasked through [SkyFi](https://www.skyfi.com/)
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#Alaska #Launch Pad
Florida - 1964-06-19
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
The majority of Florida, as well as some of Georgia and South Carolina, as seen by a [KH-5 spy satellite](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-5_ad.htm) on 1964-06-19 at a 140m resolution. Data downloaded from [USGS Earth Explorer](https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov) and processed with QGIS.
history - imagery
#Declassified #KH-5 #Florida
LandSpace Launch Pad, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center - 2022-07-31
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
50cm/pixel satellite imagery of [LandSpace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LandSpace)'s launch site at the [Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiuquan_Satellite_Launch_Center) in China. It is expected that this launch pad will hold the first launch of the [Zhuque-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LandSpace#Zhuque-2) rocket later this year. If successful, it could become the first methane-powered rocket to reach orbit. We can currently see the empty transporter erector on the launch pad, which will carry Zhuque-2 from the hangar out to the launch pad and raise it into a vertical position. Taken by SkySat on 2022-07-31 Image © 2022 Planet Includes content sourced via SkyWatch Space Applications Inc.
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Starbase Launch Site, Texas - 2023-01-11
by Harry Stranger / SpaceFromSpace
The Orbital Launch Site at [SpaceX's](https://www.spacex.com/) [Starbase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starbase) facilities in Texas. This image shows a fully stacked [Starship](https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/) sitting on the launch pad as it goes under final testing before its first test launch. Imagery taken on 2022-01-11 at 16:09:46 UTC Image © 2023 Planet Labs PBC. Includes content sourced via SkyWatch Space Applications Inc.
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#SkySat #SpaceX #Launch Site
