Planet Labs to Establish Satellite Manufacturing Facility in berlin, germany
Planet Labs PBC will expand its satellite manufacturing capabilities with a new facility in Berlin, Germany, in collaboration with the German goverment. The facility will focus on building Pelican satellites, effectively doubling Planet’s production capacity for this type of imagery platform.
The move is driven by a growing European need for independent Earth observation capabilities, as highlighted by Planet Labs CEO Will Marshall. “Simply put, Europe needs its own eyes, and they need it now,” Marshall stated. He emphasized Planet’s speed in satellite construction and launch, positioning the Berlin facility as a key component in bolstering the company’s Earth imaging solutions, including its daily global scan.
The German government has expressed strong support for the investment. Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, Dorothee Bär, noted the essential role of satellite services in modern life and crisis management, calling Planet’s expansion “an critically important signal of commitment to the space sector in Germany.” She further emphasized Germany’s attractiveness and competitiveness within the space industry, and the importance of fostering a strong “new Space” ecosystem.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche, echoed this sentiment, stating the investment is “a vote of confidence in Germany as a high-tech and space-industry hub,” and will create skilled jobs and strengthen the European supply chain.
Planet Labs already maintains a significant presence in Berlin,serving as its European headquarters and managing a substantial portion of its global constellation and EMEA business. Martin Polak, Managing Director of Planet Labs GmbH, affirmed the company’s commitment to germany’s economic growth through this expansion.
This decision follows recent successes for Planet in the European market, including a multi-year €240 million agreement with the German government and a contract with NATO. Thes agreements underscore the increasing global demand for enhanced daily monitoring, warning systems, and responsive space capabilities, areas were Planet Labs aims to be a leading provider.
