# RapidEye 3

> decommissioned Earth observation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111496955](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111496955)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rapideye-3

## Summary
RapidEye 3 was a decommissioned Earth observation satellite and a component of the RapidEye constellation, which was operated by Planet Labs. Launched in 2008 on a Dnepr rocket, the 150-kilogram satellite orbited the Earth in a sun-synchronous orbit until its retirement in March 2020.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Earth observation satellite.
*   **Launch Date:** August 29, 2008, at 07:15:58 UTC.
*   **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Dnepr (a converted Satan ICBM).
*   **Mass:** 150 kilograms (launch weight).
*   **Orbit:** Sun-synchronous orbit.
*   **Operator History:** Operated sequentially by RapidEye AG (2008–2013), BlackBridge (2013–2015), and Planet Labs (2015–2020).
*   **Retirement:** March 2020.
*   **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2008-040D; NSSDCA ID 2008-040D; SCN 33315.
*   **Alias:** Choma.

## FAQs
### Q: Who manufactured RapidEye 3?
A: MDA Space served as the general contractor for the satellite. Surrey Satellite Technology manufactured the spacecraft bus (SSTL-150), and Jena-Optronik provided the payload.

### Q: How long was RapidEye 3 operational?
A: RapidEye 3 was operational for approximately 12 years, launching in August 2008 and retiring in March 2020.

### Q: What was the country of origin for RapidEye 3?
A: While the satellite is listed as belonging to Germany, its specific country of origin recorded in technical data is Canada, reflecting the role of manufacturer MDA Space.

### Q: What happened to RapidEye 3 after 2020?
A: The satellite was decommissioned and retired from service in March 2020, concluding its mission as part of the RapidEye constellation.

## Why It Matters
RapidEye 3 represents a significant chapter in the commercialization of space-based Earth observation. As part of a five-satellite constellation, it enabled daily imaging capabilities that were highly valuable for agricultural monitoring, environmental change detection, and disaster management. The satellite's lifespan covered a transformative period in the aerospace industry, transitioning from the founding operators (RapidEye AG) through acquisition by BlackBridge and finally integration into the Planet Labs fleet.

Its longevity is notable; operating for nearly 12 years provided a continuous stream of geospatial data that helped establish modern standards for satellite imagery consistency. The mission demonstrated the viability of using smaller, cost-effective platforms like the SSTL-150 bus for high-reliability commercial tasks. Furthermore, the satellite's launch aboard a converted ICBM (Dnepr) highlights a unique intersection of military history and commercial space innovation.

## Notable For
*   **Extended Operational Life:** Functioned for nearly 12 years (2008–2020), exceeding typical design lifespans for similar small satellites.
*   **Multi-Operator Lifecycle:** Successfully transitioned operations across three different companies (RapidEye AG, BlackBridge, Planet Labs) without service interruption.
*   **Constellation Synergy:** Operated as a synchronized unit within the RapidEye constellation to provide rapid revisits of the Earth's surface.
*   **Adaptive Reuse:** Utilized a spacecraft bus (SSTL-150) and launch vehicle (converted ICBM) that repurposed existing military technology for commercial scientific use.

## Body

### Technical Specifications
RapidEye 3 was built around the **SSTL-150** spacecraft bus, manufactured by **Surrey Satellite Technology**. It had a launch mass of **150 kilograms**. The payload for the satellite was provided by **Jena-Optronik**, while **MDA Space** served as the general contractor for the project. The satellite was designed to observe Earth from a **sun-synchronous orbit**, a path that ensures consistent lighting conditions for imagery.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on **August 29, 2008**, at 07:15:58 UTC. The launch occurred at **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 109**. RapidEye 3 was delivered to orbit using a **Dnepr** launch vehicle, a rocket converted from a Soviet-era Satan ICBM.

### Operational History
RapidEye 3 was part of the **RapidEye** constellation, a network of Earth observation satellites. Over its lifetime, the satellite was managed by three distinct operators:
*   **RapidEye AG** (2008–2013)
*   **BlackBridge** (2013–2015)
*   **Planet Labs** (2015–2020)

The satellite concluded its service with a **retirement** event in **March 2020**, as documented by Planet Labs.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/rapideye-1.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/rapideye)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.planet.com/pulse/rapideye-constellation-to-be-retired-in-2020/)
5. [Source](https://www.planet.com/pulse/historic-rapideye-constellation-captures-last-light/)