Planet
SpaceX launches third dedicated smallsat rideshare mission
A SpaceX Falcon 9 placed more than 100 smallsats into orbit Jan. 13 as the company accelerates the pace of its dedicated rideshare missions.
Space SPACs look to rebound in 2022
Space companies used mergers with special purpose acquisition corporations, or SPACs, to grow their businesses in 2021, but many shareholders were left underwater at the end of the year.
Planet shares begin trading on New York Stock Exchange
Planet completed its merger with special purpose acquisition company dMY Technology Group IV and began trading shares on the New York Stock Exchange Dec. 8 under the ticker symbol PL.
Space companies forge alliance to reduce in-orbit debris by 2030
Ten companies and organizations from across the space industry have vowed to devise concrete measures for reducing the amount of in-orbit debris by 2030.
Planet to acquire VanderSat in $28 million deal
Planet announced an agreement to acquire VanderSat, a Dutch company that provides data on Earth surface conditions, like soil moisture and land surface temperature for about $28 million.
Planet unveils Pelican Earth-imaging constellation
Planet unveiled “very high resolution” Pelican Earth-imaging satellites and announced plans to bring synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) into its Planet Fusion Monitoring data stream.
NRO establishes licenses and cybersecurity rules for commercial imagery providers
The National Reconnaissance Office roadmap for bringing commercial satellite imagery into its hybrid space architecture emphasizes cybersecurity and licenses that enable the agency to share data with partners inside and outside the U.S. government.
Planet co-founder Chris Boshuizen to fly with Blue Origin
Planet co-founder Chris Boshuizen will be one of four passengers on the next flight of the Blue Origin New Shepard suborbital vehicle.
Planet provides data to federal civilian agencies under NASA contract
Researchers delving into climate change, biodiversity loss and other topics through work funded by U.S. federal civilian agencies and the National Science Foundation will have access to Planet Earth-observation data through September 2022, under a NASA contract announced Sept. 14.
Geospatial intelligence giving supply chain clarity in uncertain times
From hiking the price of cars to impacting the readiness of militaries, the havoc that COVID-19 wreaks across supply chains is far-ranging and sometimes surprising.
Planet and SpaceX announce multiyear launch agreement
Planet announced a multiyear agreement Aug. 5 that designates SpaceX as the Earth-observation company’s “go-to-launch provider through the end of 2025.”
Planet valued at $2.8 billion in SPAC deal
Planet announced July 7 it will go public in a $2.8 billion deal with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), the second SPAC deal in the Earth observation sector in as many days.
Software-as-a-Service model takes the space sector by storm
As the space sector expands, companies are adopting new business models, including Space Data as a Service, Satellite as a Service, and Ground Station as a Service, which promise the benefits of space without many of the demands.
Private sector seeks bigger role in NASA Earth science programs
Companies and organizations used a House hearing May 18 to advocate for a larger role in NASA’s Earth science programs, arguing their capabilities can complement NASA spacecraft.
Consortium unveils greenhouse gas monitoring constellation Carbon Mapper
A consortium led by the State of California, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Planet announced plans April 15 for a constellation of hyperspectral satellites to pinpoint, quantify and track point sources of methane and carbon dioxide.
SpaceX launches record-setting cluster of smallsats
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 143 small satellites for a wide range of customers Jan. 24 on the company's first dedicated rideshare mission, a service that poses a competitive threat to emerging small launch vehicles.
NGA adds Planet, BlackSky to imagery delivery system used by government agencies
Planet and BlackSky imagery will be added to NGA's unclassified system that delivers geospatial data to government agencies.
Rocket Lab launches 10 imaging smallsats
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket successfully placed 10 satellites into orbit for two customers who lost payloads on a launch failure earlier this year.
Planet unveils rapid revisit and change detection products
Planet announced a series of products including frequently updated SkySat imagery and automated change detection during Explore 2020, the San Francisco company’s second user conference.
Arianespace launches Vega on return-to-flight mission with 53 smallsats
European launch provider Arianespace conducted a successful return-to-flight mission of Vega, its light-lift rocket, on Sept. 2, completing the vehicle’s first launch in 14 months.
