Planet Labs PBC Releases First Ground Testing Results for NASA CSP Program

SAN FRANCISCO--()--Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily data and insights about Earth, today announced the successful completion of a significant technical milestone for its planned satellite-to-satellite communications links under the NASA Communications Services Project (CSP).

Planet was selected as a subcontractor by SES Space & Defense and Telesat Government Solutions in late 2022 to demonstrate real-time space-to-space connectivity solutions from Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to other in-space communication satellites operated by SES and Telesat.

Planet and SES Space & Defense conducted the first ground demonstration in late August from a flight-like user terminal housed in Mountain View, CA, and SES’ NSS-9 GEO satellite. Planet used in-house designed flight representative radios, custom spread spectrum waveforms, omni, and directional antennas for this demonstration.

The successful demonstration validates the radio and antenna design, link margin, data rates, and latency, serving as a first step in technology maturation toward offering a real-time connectivity solution with Planet’s LEO satellites. This capability seeks to provide an enhanced offering for Planet customers whose mission benefits from highly responsive last-minute tasking capabilities. Planet’s RTcomms is persistent, ubiquitous, near-real, low data rate intersatellite link using global GEO C-band beams. RTcomms’ time highly spread waveform allows operation well within the normal off-axis and spectral power density requirements for geostationary communications systems. The antenna pattern’s orbital altitude, low power density, and directional nature ensure no discernable interference with ground systems. The waveform is robust to interference from other C-band satellites, enabling reliable operation over any world.

“This ground demonstration campaign is a major step forward in Planet’s plans to continue providing the most timely insights possible to our customers,” said Kiruthika Devaraj, VP of Avionics and Spacecraft at Planet.

About Planet

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 880 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 trading on the New York Stock Exchange as PL. To learn more visit www.planet.com and follow us on Twitter.

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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, including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to capture market opportunity and realize any of the potential benefits from current or future product enhancements, new products, or strategic partnerships and customer collaborations. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’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 events and 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 the risk factors and other disclosures about the Company and its business included in the Company's periodic reports, proxy statements, and other disclosure materials filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which are available online at www.sec.gov, and on the Company's website at www.planet.com. All forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Contacts

Planet Press
Claire Bentley Dale
press@planet.com

Planet Investor Relations
Chris Genualdi, Cleo Palmer-Poroner
ir@planet.com

Contacts

Planet Press
Claire Bentley Dale
press@planet.com

Planet Investor Relations
Chris Genualdi, Cleo Palmer-Poroner
ir@planet.com