Planet to Launch Pelican Tech Demonstration and 36 SuperDoves with SpaceX

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily data and insights about Earth, today announced that its Pelican tech demonstration satellite, Pelican-1, along with 36 SuperDoves, Flock 4Q, will be launching on SpaceX’s Transporter-9 mission on Saturday, November 11, 2023 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. SpaceX’s launch window will open at 10:49 a.m. PT and you can watch the launch live at this link.

Designed and built in-house by Planet, Pelican-1 is a technology demonstration satellite whose mission objective is to validate the design and operations of Planet’s common bus platform. This platform will host Planet’s next generation of imaging sensors, to be deployed as part of the Pelican and Tanager constellations. The Pelican constellation is designed to replenish and improve upon Planet’s existing high-resolution systems in orbit today, its SkySats, and is not expected to produce commercial imagery until further iterations of the Pelican satellite platform become operational.

The 36 SuperDoves onboard will contribute to Planet’s daily, global monitoring mission. Planet has launched over 500 of its flagship Dove-series satellites since 2013, capturing a rich archive of change on Earth. The daily scan and 2,400 image-deep historical archive is used by hundreds of customers in defense, civil government, and commercial markets to make more informed decisions.

Follow along on Planet’s social media channels for 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 900 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 Twitter.

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. Forward-looking statements are based on Planet’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 financial and operating 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: whether the market for Planet’s products and services that is built upon our data set, which has not existing before, will grow as expected; whether current customers or prospective customers adopt Planet’s platform; whether Planet will be able to compete effectively with the increasing competition in its market Planet’s international operations creating business and economic risks that could impact its operations and financial results; the interruption or failure of Planet’s satellite operations, information technology infrastructure or loss of its data storage; whether Planet experiences any adverse events, such as delayed launches, launch failures, its satellites failing to reach their planned orbital locations, its satellites failing to operate as intended, being destroyed or otherwise becoming inoperable, the cost of satellite launches significantly increasing and/or satellite launch providers not having sufficient capacity; Planet’s satellites not being able to capture Earth images due to weather, natural disasters or other external factors, or as a result of its constellation of satellites having restrained capacity; if Planet is unable 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. All forward-looking statements reflect Planet’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Planet undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.