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Satellogic and HEO Release Images of Merlin.01 in Orbit, 18 Months After Program Kickoff

$SATLPress releaseOct 13, 2026, 8:00 AM ETRead the release

Satellogic and HEO released orbital images of Merlin.01 taken October 4 by NewSat-47 from 53km at 8cm/px resolution, confirming the satellite's solar arrays are deployed. Merlin.01 launched October 1, 2026 aboard SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission, just 18 months after program kickoff in March 2025, and contact was made on the first pass roughly 20 minutes after separation. The satellite is stable and in good health, but payload testing and commissioning remain ahead, with full Merlin service expected in the second half of 2027.

Key figures

Launch date
October 1, 2026
Merlin swath km
170
Imaging resolution
8cm/px
Imaging distance km
53
Program duration months
18
Full service availability
second half of 2027

AI analysis

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