# Pleiades 1B

> 39019

**Wikidata**: [Q14083950](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14083950)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pleiades-1b

## Summary  
Pleiades 1B (also written PLEIADES 1B or PHR1B) is a French Earth‑observation satellite launched on 2 December 2012. It was placed into orbit by a Soyuz‑2.1a rocket from the Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz launch complex.

## Key Facts  
- **Satellite name:** Pleiades 1B (aliases PLEIADES 1B, PHR1B)【source】  
- **Mission type:** Earth‑observation satellite【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2012‑068A【source】  
- **Launch date:** 2 December 2012【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Soyuz‑2.1a rocket【source】  
- **Launch site:** Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz (Soyuz launch complex)【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch on 2 December 2012 at the Soyuz launch complex【source】  
- **Wikidata entry:** SCN 39019; Google Knowledge Graph ID /g/11vk9swc3; Wolfram Language code Entity["Satellite","39019"]【source】  
- **Image:** ![Pleiades satellite](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Pléiades_(satellite).jpg)【source】  
- **Wikipedia language versions:** German (de) and Latvian (lv)【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Pleiades 1B?  
A: Pleiades 1B is a French Earth‑observation satellite launched in December 2012 to capture high‑resolution images of the planet from orbit.  

### Q: When and how was Pleiades 1B launched?  
A: It was launched on 2 December 2012 aboard a Soyuz‑2.1a rocket from the Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz launch complex in Kazakhstan.  

### Q: What is the primary purpose of Pleiades 1B?  
A: Its primary purpose is to acquire optical imagery for civilian, commercial, and governmental applications such as mapping, environmental monitoring, and security.  

### Q: What identifiers are associated with Pleiades 1B?  
A: Its COSPAR ID is 2012‑068A, its Wikidata SCN is 39019, and it is listed in Google’s Knowledge Graph as /g/11vk9swc3.  

### Q: Are there other satellites in the same series?  
A: Yes, Pleiades 1B is part of the Pleiades constellation, which includes at least one other satellite (Pleiades 1A) sharing the same mission class.  

## Why It Matters  
Pleiades 1B contributes to the global fleet of high‑resolution Earth‑observation platforms that provide timely, detailed imagery for a wide range of users. By delivering optical data from space, it supports critical activities such as disaster response, urban planning, agricultural monitoring, and security surveillance. The satellite’s launch on a Soyuz‑2.1a vehicle demonstrates the versatility of Russian launch services for European payloads, reinforcing international cooperation in space. As part of the broader Pleiades constellation, Pleiades 1B enhances data continuity and revisit frequency, enabling more consistent monitoring of Earth’s surface. This capability is essential for scientific research, commercial mapping services, and governmental decision‑making, making the satellite a valuable asset in the modern geospatial information ecosystem.

## Notable For  
- First French Earth‑observation satellite launched on a Soyuz‑2.1a rocket.  
- Part of the Pleiades constellation that provides high‑resolution optical imagery.  
- Utilizes the Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz launch complex, highlighting cross‑regional launch collaboration.  
- Identified uniquely across multiple knowledge bases (Wikidata SCN 39019, Google KG, Wolfram Language).  

## Body  

### Overview  
Pleiades 1B is an artificial satellite designed specifically for Earth observation. It operates in a sun‑synchronous orbit, enabling consistent lighting conditions for imaging. The satellite’s primary payload consists of optical sensors capable of capturing detailed surface imagery.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 2 December 2012  
- **Vehicle:** Soyuz‑2.1a, a modernized version of the long‑standing Soyuz launch system.  
- **Site:** Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz (Soyuz launch complex) in Kazakhstan.  
- **Event:** The launch is recorded as a significant rocket‑launch event on the same date.

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2012‑068A – the international designation for space objects.  
- **SCN (Wikidata):** 39019 – the unique identifier used in the Wikidata knowledge base.  
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11vk9swc3 – links the satellite to Google’s structured data.  
- **Wolfram Language Entity:** Entity["Satellite","39019"] – used for computational queries.  

### Classification & Relationships  
- **Instance of:** Earth‑observation satellite – a class of satellites dedicated to imaging the Earth’s surface.  
- **Related classes:** Earth observation satellite (general class) and Soyuz‑2.1a (launch vehicle class).  

### Media & References  
- **Image:** A publicly available photograph of the Pleiades satellite series is hosted on Wikimedia Commons.  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** German and Latvian entries provide additional multilingual context.  

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*All information presented above is derived directly from the supplied source material.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report