Planet Labs has released first-light imagery from its latest “Pelican” satellite launch, marking a milestone in both commercial Earth observation and European defence space capabilities.
The launch took place on 3 May 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, placing three new Pelican satellites into orbit. The new spacecraft were deployed alongside a collaboration with the Swedish Armed Forces, which now operates its first sovereign satellite capability.
Planet reported that early imagery was captured within days of launch, including views of Gotland, Taiyuan, and Nigeria. The company said image quality will improve as calibration continues and the satellites reach final operational orbit.
With this deployment, Planet now operates nine next-generation Pelican satellites in orbit. The system is designed for high-resolution Earth observation (around 50 cm class) across multiple spectral bands, enabling frequent global revisit rates for commercial and governmental users.
The company said the rapid timeline—from manufacturing to launch to operational imaging—demonstrates its ability to scale a responsive Earth observation constellation. Additional Pelican launches are planned during 2026 as Planet expands capacity and revisit performance.