Planet Labs PBC (PL), also known simply as Planet, is an American private Earth imaging company based in San Francisco, California. The company was founded in 2010 by three former National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists: Will Marshall, Robbie Schingler, and Chris Boshuizen. Planet’s mission is to image the world's entire landmass every day to bring about global change through accessible, usable satellite imagery and analytic solutions.
The company designs and manufactures Triple-CubeSat miniature satellites, also known as Doves, that are standardized to 10 cm × 10 cm × 30 cm dimensions. Their unique approach lies in these compact, cost-effective satellites that are regularly launched to continuously replenish and upgrade the "Flock" of Doves in orbit. This results in unprecedented levels of updated, real-time coverage of the globe, allowing for faster and more informed decision-making - from detecting deforestation changes to monitoring crop growth for efficient farming practices.
One of the exciting projects to emerge from Planet Labs is the Planet API, a flexible, modern API that connects developers with a wide spectrum of Planet's imagery. Access to such an extensive and continually updated dataset allows for uses across various sectors, including agriculture, environmental monitoring, humanitarian aid, defense, and intelligence.
In 2017, Planet achieved a significant milestone when it deployed 88 Dove satellites—the most by any company ever—in one go. This marked a new era of earth observation where it’s possible to monitor daily changes on our planet and respond proactively instead of retrospectively.
In recent years, Planet has made strategic acquisitions to expand its capabilities. It acquired Terra Bella, a Google subsidiary, in 2017, adding high-resolution SkySat satellites to its constellation. Also, RapidEye’s five satellites were taken over, boosting its monitoring capabilities.
Despite being a relatively young enterprise, Planet has disrupted the field of satellite imagery and geospatial data with its innovative, high-frequency, global imaging capabilities. As a Public Benefit Corporation, it aims to serve the larger good by providing nearly real-time monitoring of the Earth that can enhance our understanding of the planet, timely inform policy-makers and provide crucial data to individuals, and organizations working on socio-economic or environmental issues. Mentorship and an ethos of constant learning and innovation form the bedrock of the company culture at Planet Labs. The growth story of Planet Labs underscores the potential of space technology when paired with the vision of making a positive global impact.