Planet Launches Two More Pelican Satellites, Ramps Up Production for High-Resolution Earth Imaging

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily Earth observation data, announced it has sent its Pelican-3 and Pelican-4 satellites to Vandenberg Space Force Base for a planned launch on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. This marks the latest step in the company’s efforts to expand its satellite constellation, with its production line now fully operational and capable of manufacturing large fleets of Earth-imaging satellites at scale. To date, Planet has deployed over 650 satellites for Earth monitoring. The company highlighted its recent satellite service partnerships in Asia and Europe, emphasizing the increased capacity to meet growing market demands. Will Marshall, co-founder and CEO, stated, “Launching these satellites accelerates our ability to deliver timely, high-resolution data to customers. With advanced on-orbit computing via NVIDIA’s GPU technology, Pelicans are optimized for the AI-driven transformation in Earth observation.” The Gen 1 Pelican satellites offer 40 cm resolution imagery across six multispectral bands, enabling detailed analysis and cross-sensor compatibility. They feature NVIDIA Jetson AI chips for edge computing, reducing data latency and improving real-time insights. The next-generation Pelican satellites, set to launch in 2025, aim to achieve 30 cm resolution, further enhancing precision. Brian Lewis, Planet’s Mission Director for the Pelican program, noted the satellites’ role in enabling rapid, global revisits to address critical challenges. “From disaster response to defense and intelligence applications, Pelicans are central to Planet’s mission of using space to improve life on Earth. Expanding this fleet will support a more secure, stable, and sustainable future,” he said. The Pelican satellites will augment Planet’s existing tasking fleet, offering on-demand, high-resolution imaging for defense, government, and commercial clients. The company plans to launch additional Pelicans in the coming year, ensuring seamless integration with its other spacecraft to provide dynamic data solutions. Planet, founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, specializes in daily satellite imagery and geospatial insights. Its technology powers applications in agriculture, forestry, finance, and education, among others. The company operates as a public benefit corporation and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The announcement follows a $1 billion investment from Amazon and Meta in 2023, which valued Planet at $13.8 billion. The recent partnership with Meta underscores the importance of scalable data infrastructure in the AI sector, as companies race to develop advanced models. Planet’s forward-looking statements, as outlined in its SEC filings, include projections about fleet expansion, customer delivery timelines, and potential benefits from satellite launches. However, the company cautions that actual outcomes may vary due to market, technical, and operational uncertainties. This development reflects Planet’s strategic focus on rapid satellite deployment and AI integration, positioning it to meet evolving demands in Earth observation while maintaining its commitment to sustainability and global impact.