Planet Labs Germany, a Berlin-based entity and European headquarters of Planet Labs PBC, a provider of daily Earth data and insights, has secured a €240 million, multi-year agreement with the German government. The contract aims to support European peace and security by providing high-resolution imagery and timely intelligence.
Under the agreement, Planet will provide dedicated capacity and direct downlink services on Pelican satellites over specific European regions. This also includes access to PlanetScope and SkySat data, alongside AI-enabled solutions for enhanced situational awareness and maritime domain awareness. This satellite services 'dedicated capacity' model offers a cost-effective and efficient way for customers to gain access to advanced space-based capabilities without the operational complexities of building and maintaining their own satellite infrastructure.
"With the changing geopolitical landscape, the demand for sovereign access to geospatial intelligence is more urgent than ever before, and Planet's satellite services model is designed to enable large area security monitoring," commented Will Marshall, CEO and Co-Founder at Planet.
This initiative builds on Planet's recent agreement with NATO, further solidifying its position as a partner for strategic capabilities. These agreements across Europe reflect a global imperative for enhanced daily monitoring, early warning, and responsive space capabilities as governments navigate a complex geopolitical landscape. Planet expects to begin recognizing revenue from this contract in January 2026, with revenue ramping up over several years.
Planet Labs PBC, the parent company headquartered in San Francisco, USA, was founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists. It designs, builds, and operates what it states is the largest Earth observation fleet, having built and deployed over 600 Earth imaging satellites. Planet Labs Germany GmbH contributes significantly to the global management of Planet's constellation and its business across the EMEA region. The company emphasizes its agile aerospace approach, efficient satellite manufacturing, and constellation-scale operations. Planet provides mission-critical data, advanced insights, and software solutions to customers in agriculture, forestry, intelligence, education, finance, and government agencies.
In the satellite imagery and geospatial intelligence market, Planet Labs Germany operates alongside several established companies. Maxar Technologies provides high-resolution satellite imagery and geospatial intelligence services, often serving defense and intelligence clients globally. Their assets were widely used by a slew of news companies reporting near real-time changes to the Iranian nuclear program strikes, such as Fordow. Airbus Defence and Space also operates a fleet of Earth observation satellites, such as Pleiades and SPOT, offering geospatial information services to both government and commercial sectors. Additionally, companies like Capella Space specialize in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, providing all-weather, all-light imaging capabilities that complement optical imagery providers.
