Digital rendering of separate of the Dnepr launch vehicle and the Planet Labs’ CubeSats. Photo: European Space Agency

[Via Satellite 06-23-2014] Spaceflight successfully deployed 11 Planet Labs Dove Earth-imaging satellites from a Kosmotras-operated Dnepr launch vehicle. This launch follows two major launches in the past year: the April 2013 deployment of Planet Labs’ Dove 1 and Dove 2 satellites from an Orbital Sciences’ Antares launch vehicle, and the launch of Planet Labs’ Flock 1 constellation from the International Space Station (ISS) in January 2014 with NanoRacks.

The additional 11 CubeSats will enhance Planet Labs’ existing constellation of 3U imaging spacecraft. Spaceflight coordinated the export of Planet Labs’ satellites from the U.S. to Russia for launch integration, navigating International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and export laws, which have been affected by recent global events.

All 11 Dove spacecraft were successfully deployed about 30 minutes after first-stage ignition of the launch. This marks a total of 43 Dove satellites launched to date. Spaceflight launched 47 satellites over the past year and a half, and the next launch is scheduled for early July 2014 onboard Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus Orb 2 mission.