SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily data and insights about change on Earth, today announced a multi-launch agreement with Stoke Space Technologies, Inc., a developer of fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicles, to provide expanded launch capacity for Planet’s constellation fleet.
Under the agreement, Planet receives primary payload rights, granting critical scheduling flexibility to specify launch dates and target orbital planes for its payloads. The missions will launch aboard Stoke Space’s fully reusable vehicle, Nova, from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 14 (SLC-14), the historic launch site known for sending John Glenn into orbit as the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962.
“We are proud to partner with Planet, an industry pioneer that has led by example in growing and evolving commercial space,” said Andy Lapsa, Co-Founder and CEO of Stoke Space. “Providing dependable, customer-driven launch services is at the core of what we are building at Stoke.”
The multi-launch agreement supports Planet's long-term launch strategy to ensure continual constellation maintenance and expansion. Planet continues to build and maintain a diversified portfolio of launch providers. Spanning emerging innovators and established players both in the US and internationally, Planet is committed to ensuring steady and persistent access to orbit as it expands its constellations to meet growing customer demand. Future missions under this contract will align with Stoke Space's ongoing technology development path, which includes orbital flight demonstrations of its Nova Pathfinder vehicle beginning in 2027 and its subsequent rollout of Nova Block 2, designed to deliver more than 15 metric tons to low Earth orbit in a fully reusable configuration.
"We need launch partners who move as quickly as we do,” said Will Marshall, Co-Founder & CEO of Planet. “Stoke Space is building an exciting fully reusable launch capability, and we’re partnering to drive forward highly responsive launch options.”
Stoke Space is developing its fully reusable Nova rocket fleet to deliver flexible, high-frequency aircraft-like launch services designed to meet growing demand across commercial, defense, and civil space markets. The company recently announced its planned expansion, including the construction of a second launchpad and recovery infrastructure at SLC-14 d in preparation for upcoming flight campaigns.
Later today, Planet’s Chief Space Officer James Mason will join the keynote panel, ‘Global space governance: national sovereignty vs. commercial scale,’ at the Reuters Space & Satellite Summit at 11:55 am ET. During the discussion on sustainable constellation growth and international space policy, Mason will highlight Planet’s multi-provider launch strategy and today's announcement.
About Planet Labs PBC
Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL) 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, LinkedIn, 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 Labs PBC within the meaning of the securities laws, including statements regarding Planet's launch agreements, future satellite launches, constellation deployment timelines, and expectations regarding launch vehicle performance and operational readiness. 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, including delays or technical challenges associated with the development, testing, and launch of third-party launch vehicles. 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.