The investment, expected to exceed eight figures, will add up to 70 new positions to the company's Berlin team, which already numbers nearly 150. Once operational, the facility will double the company's overall Pelican production capacity, complementing existing satellite manufacturing at its San Francisco headquarters.
"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 and Co-Founder of the Planet group. "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."
German officials welcomed the decision as a strong signal of the nation's competitiveness in the space sector. Dorothee Bar, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, said, "Without satellite services - which include Earth observation - our modern way of life would be practically inconceivable. In crisis situations, they are essential for security and the government's ability to act. 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. We have a flourishing New Space ecosystem and need to use this for pioneering innovations and technological sovereignty. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space ensures attractive conditions and guarantees that Germany and Europe are among the frontrunners in the space race."
Katherina Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, added, "The sky is not the limit! 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."
Planet's Berlin headquarters already serves as its European base, managing operations across the EMEA region. "From Berlin, we already contribute significantly to the global management of Planet's constellation and drive our extensive business across the EMEA region. The decision to locate our new manufacturing facility here powerfully underscores our commitment to supporting Germany's long-term economic growth as a European epicenter for global business," said Martin Polak, Managing Director of Planet Labs GmbH.
The move follows significant contract wins, including a euro 240 million multi-year agreement with the German government and a strategic partnership with NATO, reinforcing Planet's role as a trusted provider of daily monitoring and responsive space capabilities for defense and security stakeholders.
Related Links
Planet Labs
The latest information about the Commercial Satellite Industry
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
