Planet Labs releases first hyperspectral satellite imagery from Tanager-1

Planet Labs releases first hyperspectral satellite imagery from Tanager-1
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 25, 2024
Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a major provider of daily Earth data and insights, has unveiled the first images captured by its Tanager-1 satellite. The images, taken on September 19, 2024, over Karachi, Pakistan, from an altitude of 522 km, mark a significant milestone for the company's hyperspectral imaging program.

In the coming months, partners such as Carbon Mapper, alongside Planet's customers, will utilize the data to track and reduce point-source methane and CO2 emissions. These emissions are significant contributors to climate change. The hyperspectral data will also be available commercially, catering to industries including defense, biodiversity monitoring, mineral exploration, and water quality assessment.

Tanager-1 launched aboard the Transporter-11 mission on August 16, 2024. After a month of satellite commissioning, Planet has moved swiftly to first light operations. "We are pleased to have already progressed to first light activities. Leveraging our decade of operational experience, our teams are rapidly making progress towards production operations of this satellite," said Mark Longanbach, Senior Vice President of Missions at Planet.

This satellite is the first in a planned constellation developed in partnership with the Carbon Mapper Coalition. It merges Planet's agile aerospace technology with an advanced imaging spectrometer designed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Tanager-1 can capture wavelengths from 400 to 2500 nm, creating detailed images, or "datacubes," with 420 spectral channels. These images reveal various surface features, from gas emissions to vegetation and ground chemicals. The released imagery includes standard RGB, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared images, demonstrating the satellite's versatility.

"Tanager first light is the biggest program milestone yet," said Mark Keremedjiev, Mission Director for the Tanager Hyperspectral Mission at Planet. "This image demonstrates Planet's world-class imaging spectrometer and provides a tangible result to the years of investment and effort. It's early days but we are very pleased with the quality we are seeing, and we believe that first light is but a preview of amazing things to come."

Looking ahead, Planet plans to expand its Smallsat platform with the upcoming launch of Pelican-2. The company aims to enhance both its Tanager and Pelican missions, driving continuous improvements for its customers. Planet will continue to commission Tanager-1's payload over the next several months and expects to begin delivering data to customers in 2025.