“`html
09/25/2025 – 04:01 AM
Investment Aims to Double High-Resolution Satellite Capacity to Support European Demand
BERLIN – Planet Labs GmbH (PL), a major player in the Earth observation and geospatial data market, has unveiled plans to significantly expand its operational footprint in Germany with the establishment of a new production line for its next-generation Pelican satellites. This strategic move, fueled by a substantial eight-figure investment, aims to address the escalating demand for high-resolution satellite imagery and intelligence solutions across Europe.

Berlin, Germany on September 24, 2025 (SkySat)
The Berlin-based facility is projected to create up to 70 highly skilled jobs, augmenting Planet’s existing European headquarters team of nearly 150 employees. This expansion will effectively double the company’s production capacity for the advanced Pelican satellite constellation.
While maintaining and expanding spacecraft manufacturing operations at its San Francisco headquarters, Planet’s investment in Berlin underscores the strategic importance of the European market and the growing need for rapid deployment of Earth observation capabilities in the region. The Pelican satellites are designed to provide high-resolution imagery with increased revisit rates, offering enhanced monitoring capabilities for a wide range of applications, including environmental monitoring, disaster response, and national security.
“We are incredibly excited to soon be building satellites in Germany, and to be doing so in collaboration with the German government as it looks to enhance its capabilities to bolster peace and stability across Europe,” said Will Marshall, CEO of Planet Labs PBC. “Simply put, Europe needs its own eyes, and they need it now. Planet is one of the fastest at building and launching imaging satellites, and this German manufacturing facility will double our capacity for Pelican satellites, bolstering our suite of earth imaging solutions, including our daily scan for broad area monitoring, which only Planet can deliver.”
Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, emphasized the significance of satellite services for modern society and government capabilities, particularly in crisis situations. She stated, “It is an important signal of commitment to the space sector in Germany that the Earth observation company Planet plans to expand its activities here and establish a satellite manufacturing facility in Berlin. This clearly shows Germany’s attractiveness and competitiveness in the space sector, a sector which is strategically and economically important to our future.”
Katherina Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, added, “Planet Labs’ investment in a new high-tech manufacturing facility in Berlin is more than just a location choice — it is a vote of confidence in Germany as a high-tech and space-industry hub. The investment creates skilled jobs, provides broad economic spillovers, strengthens the European supply chain, and underscores Germany’s role as a driver of innovation and industrial competence.”
Martin Polak, Managing Director of Planet Labs GmbH, highlighted the company’s long-standing presence in Germany and the crucial role of its Berlin headquarters in managing Planet’s global constellation and driving business across the EMEA region. He stated that the decision to locate the new manufacturing facility in Berlin reinforces Planet’s commitment to supporting Germany’s long-term economic growth as a European epicenter for global business.
This expansion builds upon Planet’s recent successes in Europe, including a multi-year €240 million agreement with the German government and a key contract with NATO. These partnerships highlight the growing demand for enhanced daily monitoring, indication and warning systems, and responsive space capabilities within the European security landscape. Industry analysts note that Planet’s vertically integrated approach, encompassing satellite design, manufacturing, and data analytics, provides a competitive edge in delivering timely and actionable insights to its customers. The company’s ability to leverage its extensive satellite constellation and advanced analytics platform positions it as a key enabler for informed decision-making across various sectors. The increased capacity afforded by the Berlin facility is expected to further solidify Planet’s market leadership and drive future growth in the rapidly evolving Earth observation market.
About Planet
Planet Labs Germany GmbH is part of the Planet group and is based at Planet’s European headquarters in Berlin. Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL) is the parent company of the Planet group with global headquarters in San Francisco, USA. 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 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 Labs PBC 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 X (formerly Twitter) or tune in to HBO’s ‘Wild Wild Space.’
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements” about Planet within the meaning of the securities laws, including statements about Planet’s future cash flows and revenue, Planet’s strategic partnerships, the expansion of the high resolution capacity of Planet’s fleet and the delivery of such capacity to Planet customers, and Planet’s future growth in new and existing markets. Such statements, which are not of historical fact, involve estimates, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors are detailed in Planet’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Planet does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events, except as required by applicable law.
“`
Original article, Author: Jam. If you wish to reprint this article, please indicate the source:https://aicnbc.com/9904.html