Planet Sends 3 More Pelicans to Launch Site

Satellite imaging company continues expansion of its Earth observation fleet.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:42pm by Ben Kaplan

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays, featuring sweeping geometric arcs and concentric circles that conceptually represent Planet's satellite constellation orbiting the Earth.Planet's growing fleet of Earth observation satellites continues to expand, providing more comprehensive data about global changes.San Francisco Today

Planet Labs PBC, a leading provider of daily satellite imagery and data about changes on Earth, has announced the shipment of three additional Pelican satellites to its launch site. The Pelican satellites are part of Planet's growing fleet of Earth observation satellites that capture high-resolution images of the planet's surface on a daily basis.

Why it matters

Planet's expansion of its satellite constellation is a key part of the company's strategy to provide more comprehensive and timely data about global changes, which can inform decision-making on issues like climate change, natural disasters, and human activity. As one of the largest commercial satellite operators, Planet's ability to rapidly deploy new satellites is critical to maintaining its leadership in the Earth observation market.

The details

The three new Pelican satellites will join Planet's existing fleet of over 200 satellites, further enhancing the company's ability to monitor the Earth's surface. The Pelican satellites are designed for rapid deployment and are a key part of Planet's strategy to continuously refresh and expand its imaging capabilities.

  • Planet announced the shipment of the three new Pelican satellites on April 6, 2026.

The players

Planet Labs PBC

A leading provider of daily satellite imagery and data about changes on Earth, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

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What’s next

The three new Pelican satellites are expected to be launched and integrated into Planet's operational satellite constellation in the coming months, further enhancing the company's ability to monitor global changes.

The takeaway

Planet's continued expansion of its satellite fleet demonstrates the company's commitment to providing comprehensive, timely data about the Earth's surface, which is critical for addressing global challenges like climate change, natural disasters, and sustainable development.