Ikonos

Mission

Ikonos

• Type: Earth Science
• Orbit: Polar Orbit

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, an operating unit of Missiles & Space, has revolutionized the space-based imagery market with the development of the first commercial satellite capable of resolving objects on the ground as small as one meter in diameter. The company is providing a spacecraft, designated IKONOS 1, for Space Imaging, Thornton, CO, which offers high-resolution imagery of the Earth to customers around the world.

Location

Space Launch Complex 6

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Space Launch Complex 6 has witnessed the launch of 14 rockets, including 14 orbital launch attempts, while Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, has been the site for 749 rocket launches.

Rocket

Lockheed Martin Athena II

The Athena II is an American small expendable launch system which was used for three launches between 1998 and 1999.

Agency

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin’s Space Division started in the production of missiles and later ICBM’s in the 1950s. Their TITAN missile system was used for 12 Gemini spacecraft and the Voyager probes. They have worked largely in collaboration with NASA on many of their probes, landers, and spacecraft, and hope to play a key role in NASA’s return to the moon in 2024.