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