Planet Releases First Light Image From Pelican-12, Its First 30 cm Class Satellite

Planet Labs has published the first light image from Pelican-12, an updated second generation high-resolution satellite, captured over Luanda, Angola, on October 30, 2026. The image, taken from an altitude of approximately 589 km, marks the debut of Planet's first 30 cm class capable spacecraft and its 25th satellite reaching orbit this year.

Pelican-12 launched aboard SpaceX's Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft is completing its instrument calibration process and approaching its final operational orbit, with image quality expected to improve further as that work proceeds.

The satellite is Planet's 25th brought to orbit this year across four successful launches. Pelican-12 will initially deliver 50 cm class imagery and is designed to capture 30 cm class imagery after being lowered to its operational altitude. It carries the NVIDIA Jetson platform for onboard edge compute, and also includes a technology demonstration of a new communications package designed to reduce the latency of data delivery. The spacecraft is intended to assess new technologies ahead of their implementation on future Planet spacecraft.

Planet pointed to its production capabilities, bolstered by the recent opening of its new Berlin manufacturing facility, as supporting its work for customers seeking sovereign satellite and dedicated access capacity. The company said this reduced time-to-value made it the choice for the governments of Japan, Sweden, and Germany to entrust with building their proprietary satellite capabilities.

James Mason, Chief Space Officer at Planet, said the image confirmed the spacecraft's health. "This crisp first image tells us that Pelican-12 is healthy and performing well after launch," Mason said. "Each new Pelican we launch gives us lessons for the next build. For example, the updated payload and communication systems on Pelican-12 are informed by Pelican-11, our engineering pathfinder launched in July. With additional Pelican launches planned for 2027, we're continuing to build out this advanced, AI-enabled constellation to keep pace with rising demand for high-resolution data."

Planet described the launch as showcasing the speed, innovation, and consistency of its agile aerospace approach. The company said its design strategy of using each Pelican to inform the next build is central to developing an AI-enabled constellation aimed at meeting rising demand for high-resolution data.

Planet has further Pelican missions scheduled for 2027 as it continues to grow its high-resolution capacity and Satellite Services offerings. The company will continue the instrument calibration process and the lowering of Pelican-12 to its operational altitude, where it is designed to deliver 30 cm class imagery.