Planet to Launch Its First Hyperspectral Satellite, Tanager-1, and 36 SuperDoves with SpaceX

Rhea-AI Summary

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) is set to launch its first hyperspectral satellite, Tanager-1, along with 36 SuperDoves on SpaceX's Transporter-11 Rideshare mission on August 16, 2024. Tanager-1, part of the Carbon Mapper Coalition, will add over 400 spectral bands of data to Planet's capabilities, enabling detection of phenomena invisible to the human eye. The satellite combines Planet's smallsat technology with NASA JPL's imaging spectrometer design.

The launch will also include 36 SuperDoves contributing to Planet's daily global monitoring mission. Tanager-1's hyperspectral data will be commercially available for applications in defense, intelligence, biodiversity assessments, mineral mapping, and water quality assessments. This launch marks a significant expansion of Planet's Earth observation capabilities and its commitment to making global change visible and actionable.

Positive

• Launch of first hyperspectral satellite Tanager-1, expanding capabilities with 400+ spectral bands
• Addition of 36 SuperDoves to enhance daily global monitoring mission
• Commercial availability of hyperspectral data for various applications
• Collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for advanced imaging technology

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Expert

Planet's launch of Tanager-1 and 36 SuperDoves represents a significant leap in Earth observation technology. The hyperspectral capabilities of Tanager-1, with over 400 spectral bands, will revolutionize data collection by capturing information invisible to the human eye. This advancement could be a game-changer for various industries, from environmental monitoring to defense intelligence.

The integration of Planet's agile aerospace technology with NASA's imaging spectrometer design showcases a powerful public-private partnership. This collaboration could accelerate innovations in satellite technology and data analytics. The commercial availability of Tanager's hyperspectral data opens up new revenue streams for Planet, potentially boosting its market position in the Earth observation industry.

Environmental Analyst

The launch of Tanager-1 marks a significant milestone in climate change monitoring. Its ability to detect and track methane and CO2 super-emitters with unprecedented precision could be transformative for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This technology enables direct mitigation actions, potentially accelerating progress towards climate goals.

The Carbon Mapper Coalition's involvement underscores the growing importance of public-private partnerships in addressing environmental challenges. The commercial availability of this data for applications like biodiversity assessments and water quality monitoring could drive advancements in environmental protection and resource management. This launch positions Planet as a key player in the rapidly growing market for environmental monitoring solutions.

Financial Analyst

While the launch itself doesn't directly impact Planet's financials, it significantly enhances the company's product offering and competitive position. The addition of hyperspectral capabilities and 36 new SuperDoves expands Planet's data collection capacity, potentially increasing its value proposition to customers across various sectors.

The commercial availability of Tanager's hyperspectral data opens up new revenue streams, particularly in high-value markets like defense, intelligence and environmental monitoring. This could drive revenue growth and improve margins. However, investors should monitor the adoption rate of this new technology and its impact on Planet's financial performance in the coming quarters. The company's ability to monetize these advanced capabilities will be important for long-term growth and profitability.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL), a leading provider of daily Earth data and insights, announced today that its first hyperspectral satellite, Tanager-1, along with 36 SuperDoves (Flock 4BE) will launch on the Transporter-11 Rideshare mission with SpaceX on Friday, August 16, 2024 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. SpaceX’s launch window opens at 11:20 a.m. PT, and the live launch webcast can be viewed at this link.

Tanager-1 will expand Planet’s capabilities by adding more than 400 spectral bands of data, capturing phenomena that are invisible to the human eye. Tanager-1 is made possible by the Carbon Mapper Coalition, a philanthropically-funded effort to develop and deploy industry-leading hyperspectral satellites designed to detect and track methane and CO2 super-emitters at a level of granularity that can support direct mitigation action. Tanager-1 combines Planet’s cutting-edge agile aerospace and smallsat bus technology with the state-of-the-art imaging spectrometer design developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. More information about the Carbon Mapper Coalition and the hyperspectral Tanager constellation can be found here.

Tanager’s hyperspectral data will also be commercially available to Planet customers for a variety of additional applications, including defense and intelligence monitoring, biodiversity assessments, mineral mapping, and water quality assessments.

In addition to Tanager-1, Planet will launch 36 SuperDoves (Flock 4BE) that will contribute to Planet’s flagship daily, global monitoring mission. PlanetScope data is used by hundreds of customers in defense and intelligence, civil government, and commercial markets to take informed action, and better contextualize events on the ground today.

Follow Planet’s X account for launch updates.

About Planet Labs PBC

Planet is a leading provider of global, daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Planet is driven by a mission to image the world every day, and make change visible, accessible and actionable. Founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest Earth observation fleet of imaging satellites. Planet provides mission-critical data, advanced insights, and software solutions to over 1,000 customers, comprising the world’s leading agriculture, forestry, intelligence, education and finance companies and government agencies, enabling users to simply and effectively derive unique value from satellite imagery. Planet is a public benefit corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange as PL. To learn more visit www.planet.com and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) or tune in to HBO's ‘Wild Wild Space’.

About Carbon Mapper Inc

Carbon Mapper is a nonprofit based in Pasadena, CA with the mission to drive greenhouse gas emissions reductions by making methane and carbon dioxide data accessible and actionable. Carbon Mapper is focused on filling gaps in the emerging ecosystem of methane and CO2 monitoring systems by delivering data at facility scale that is precise, timely, and accessible to empower science-based decision making and action. The organization leads a public-private partnership including Planet Labs, PBC and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory among others focused on developing and deploying a constellation of satellites capable of detecting, quantifying, and verifying methane emissions worldwide. Data from these satellites will offer the next major step in scaling up the thousands of methane plumes and CO2 plumes already publicly available on the Carbon Mapper data portal. Learn more at carbonmapper.org, view our data at data.carbonmapper.org, and follow us on Twitter @carbonmapper

Forward Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to capture market opportunity and realize any of the potential benefits from current or future product enhancements, new products, or strategic partnerships and customer collaborations, the Company’s ability to successfully design, build, launch and deploy, operate and market new products and satellites and the Company’s ability to realize any of the potential benefits from product and satellite launches, either as designed, within the expected time frame, in a cost-effective manner, or at all. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to them. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future events and results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain required licenses and approvals from regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in a timely fashion, or at all; whether the Company will be able to successfully build, launch and deploy or operate its satellites, including new satellites either as designed, in a timely fashion or at all; the Company’s ability to develop and release product and service enhancements to respond to rapid technological change, or to develop new designs and technologies for its satellites, in a timely and cost-effective manner; whether the Company will be able to continue to invest in scaling its sales organization, expanding its software engineering (including its ability to integrate new satellite capabilities) and marketing capabilities; whether the Company will be able to accurately predict and capture market opportunity; whether current customers or prospective customers adopt the Company’s platform or new products; the Company’s ability realize any of the potential benefits from new products and satellites, as well as strategic partnerships and customer collaborations; and other risk factors and disclosures about the Company and its business included in the Company's periodic reports, proxy statements, and other disclosure materials filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which are available online at www.sec.gov, and on the Company's website at www.planet.com. All forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240815210432/en/

Planet Press

Claire Bentley Dale

comms@planet.com

Planet Investor Relations

Chris Genualdi, Cleo Palmer-Poroner

ir@planet.com

Source: Planet

FAQ

When is Planet Labs PBC (PL) launching its Tanager-1 satellite and SuperDoves?

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) is launching its Tanager-1 satellite and 36 SuperDoves on August 16, 2024, as part of SpaceX's Transporter-11 Rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

What are the key features of Planet Labs' (PL) Tanager-1 hyperspectral satellite?

Tanager-1 is Planet Labs' first hyperspectral satellite, capable of capturing over 400 spectral bands of data. It combines Planet's smallsat technology with NASA JPL's imaging spectrometer design and can detect phenomena invisible to the human eye.

How will the Tanager-1 satellite benefit Planet Labs (PL) customers?

Tanager-1's hyperspectral data will be commercially available to Planet Labs customers for applications in defense and intelligence monitoring, biodiversity assessments, mineral mapping, and water quality assessments, expanding the company's service offerings.

What is the purpose of the 36 SuperDoves being launched by Planet Labs (PL)?

The 36 SuperDoves (Flock 4BE) will contribute to Planet Labs' flagship daily, global monitoring mission, enhancing the company's ability to provide frequent and comprehensive Earth observation data to its customers.