Here are 1-3 brief analogies for Planet Labs PBC:

• Google Earth/Maps, but for daily, real-time commercial and government intelligence.
• A Bloomberg Terminal, but for continuous satellite insights into the physical world.

• Satellite Imagery Data: Provides daily, high-resolution Earth imagery captured by its vast constellation of satellites, accessible through APIs and web platforms.
• Geospatial Analytics Platform: Offers a platform and tools for users to analyze satellite imagery, extract insights, and monitor changes over time for various industries.
• Custom Satellite Tasking: Enables customers to request specific satellite image acquisitions over areas of interest using their high-resolution SkySat and Tanager constellations.

• The U.S. Government: This is consistently reported as Planet Labs' single largest customer, primarily through significant contracts with agencies such as the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). As a governmental entity, it does not have a public stock symbol.
• Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Planet Labs' imagery is integrated into Google Earth and Google Maps, indicating a significant licensing and partnership arrangement with this major technology company.
• Other Enterprise Customers: While specific individual private companies are not typically disclosed as accounting for a significant enough portion of revenue to be classified as "major" (e.g., >10% of revenue) in the same way the U.S. Government is, Planet Labs serves a diverse range of enterprise clients across various industries globally. These include companies in:
  • Agriculture: Providing data for precision farming, crop monitoring, and supply chain insights.
  • Mapping & Geospatial: Supporting other mapping providers and Geographic Information System (GIS) companies.
  • Energy & Infrastructure: Monitoring assets, land use, and environmental impact.
  • Civil Government & NGOs: For environmental monitoring, disaster response, and urban planning.

• SpaceX
• Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB)
• Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN)

Will Marshall, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board

Will Marshall is the Co-Founder and CEO of Planet Labs. He leads the company's overall strategy and direction. Prior to co-founding Planet in 2010, Marshall was a scientist at NASA/USRA, where he worked as a systems engineer on the lunar orbiter mission "LADEE," was a member of the science team for the lunar impactor mission "LCROSS," served as Co-Principal Investigator on PhoneSat, and was the technical lead on research projects in space debris remediation. He also helped establish the Small Spacecraft Office at the NASA Ames Research Center. Marshall holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Oxford.

Ashley Johnson, President and Chief Financial Officer

Ashley Johnson is Planet's President and Chief Financial Officer. She joined Planet as Chief Financial Officer in February 2020 and additionally became Chief Operating Officer in March 2021. She is an expert in corporate strategy, business development, and finance, with extensive experience building and leading executive teams in technology companies, both public and private. Before joining Planet, Johnson served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Wealthfront, a digital investment advisory service. Her previous roles include Chief Customer Officer at ServiceSource, Inc. in 2015 and Principal at General Atlantic LLC from 2002 to 2007.

Robert Schingler Jr., Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer, and Inside Director

Robert Schingler Jr., also known as Robbie Schingler, is a Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer, and Inside Director of Planet Labs PBC. He co-founded Planet in 2010. Schingler leads the company's long-term strategic trajectory, including mergers and technology partnerships, and has spearheaded Planet's acquisitions of VanderSat (2021), Boundless (2019), and BlackBridge (2015). Before co-founding Planet, he spent nine years at NASA, where he helped establish the Small Spacecraft Office at NASA Ames and served as Chief of Staff for the Office of the Chief Technologist at NASA Headquarters.

Donna Prlich, Chief Marketing Officer

Donna Prlich serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Planet Labs PBC, a role she assumed in 2022.

Trevor Hammond, Chief Communications Officer

Trevor Hammond is the Chief Communications Officer at Planet Labs PBC. He joined Planet in August 2018.

The public company Planet Labs PBC (PL) faces several key risks inherent to its industry and business model. The most significant risks include:

1. Technological Obsolescence and Intense Competition: Planet Labs operates in the rapidly evolving field of satellite imagery, requiring continuous investment in research and development to maintain its competitive edge. There is a persistent risk that new technologies or more cost-effective solutions from competitors such as Maxar, Blacksky, Airbus, and potentially larger aerospace and technology companies like SpaceX's Starshield program, could diminish Planet Labs' market share and revenue. Delays or technical issues with the launch of new, higher-resolution satellites, such as the Pelican and Tanager constellations, could also negatively impact future revenues and financial health.
2. Path to Profitability and Financial Performance: Planet Labs has a history of operating losses and has not yet achieved sustainable GAAP profitability, reporting significant net losses despite revenue growth. While the company has shown progress with positive Adjusted EBITDA in some quarters, challenges remain in consistently translating revenue into net profits. Margin pressures stemming from complex deal arrangements and increased satellite depreciation further impact its profitability timeline. Analysts express concerns about the timeline to sustainable profitability, with non-GAAP EPS estimates indicating continued losses through fiscal year 2027.
3. Dependence on Government Contracts and Customer Concentration: A substantial portion of Planet Labs' revenue is derived from government contracts, particularly within the Defense and Intelligence (D&I) sector. This reliance exposes the company to risks associated with unpredictable government budgetary cycles and potential shifts in spending priorities. Furthermore, there is a degree of customer concentration, with a few key customers representing a significant percentage of the company's receivables and overall revenue, increasing vulnerability to the loss or reduction of business from these clients.

The rapid proliferation and increasing capabilities of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite constellations represent a clear emerging threat. Companies like Capella Space, ICEYE, and Umbra are deploying SAR satellites that can image through clouds, smoke, and at night, overcoming fundamental limitations of Planet's optical imaging technology. For many critical applications, such as defense, disaster response, maritime surveillance, and infrastructure monitoring, the ability to image regardless of weather or time of day offers a significant advantage. As SAR constellations mature, improve resolution, and expand their market reach, they directly compete for market share in segments where Planet's optical data may be suboptimal due to environmental conditions.

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL) operates within several significant addressable markets related to Earth observation, satellite imagery, and geospatial analytics. The primary products and services offered by Planet Labs PBC include satellite imagery and related data services (Earth Observation Services), as well as platform and analytics solutions.

Geospatial Analytics Market

The global geospatial analytics market was estimated at USD 114.32 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 226.53 billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.3% from 2025 to 2030. Another estimate places the global geospatial analytics market size at USD 114.5 billion in 2024, with a projection to reach USD 325.4 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 11.69% from 2025 to 2033. North America held the largest share of the geospatial analytics market, accounting for over 34% in 2024.

Earth Observation Market

The global Earth observation market was valued at USD 5,101.8 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 7,238.4 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 6.2% from 2025 to 2030. The commercial Earth observation market alone is currently valued at USD 5 billion and is projected to exceed USD 8 billion by 2033. North America is the largest Earth observation market, generating 44% of global revenues in 2023. The satellite-based Earth observation market, specifically, reached USD 9.41 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 17.20 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.92% from 2025 to 2033.

Satellite Imaging Market

The global satellite imaging market was valued at USD 3.27 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to USD 14.18 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 19.12% during the forecast period. The commercial satellite imaging market is projected to grow from USD 5.87 billion in 2025 to USD 15.33 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 12.3%. In 2024, North America dominated the satellite imaging market with a 42.6% share.

Satellite Data Services Market

The global satellite data services market was estimated at USD 12,115.2 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 29,587.9 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.3% from 2025 to 2030. North America dominated this market with a share of over 36% in 2024.

Planet Labs PBC (PL) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key initiatives and market trends:

1. Expansion in Defense and Intelligence Sector: Planet Labs is experiencing significant growth in the defense and intelligence markets, driven by substantial contracts and expanded relationships. The company has secured pivotal contracts with various government entities, including the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the German government, and NATO. These contracts involve providing high-resolution satellite imagery, monitoring, and intelligence gathering capabilities. The company's strategic focus on these large government opportunities, which can provide long-term revenue streams, is a primary growth driver.
2. Launch and Growth of New Products and AI-Enabled Solutions: Innovation in product offerings and the integration of artificial intelligence are key to Planet Labs' future revenue. The company has launched and is expanding next-generation datasets and AI-powered solutions, such as Analytics-Ready PlanetScope (ARPS) for time series analysis, Tanager Hyperspectral, and new high-resolution Pelican satellites. Specifically, AI-enabled solutions like Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) are driving significant deals with defense and intelligence customers by enabling the identification of both known and unknown threats over broad areas. The company is also developing products like Forest Carbon Monitoring.
3. Growth in Backlog and Recurring Revenue: A substantial increase in Planet Labs' remaining performance obligations (RPOs) and backlog provides strong visibility into future revenue. The company's backlog surged by 245% year-over-year to $736.1 million, and RPOs jumped 516% to $690.1 million in Q2 FY2026, offering excellent visibility into revenue over the next 12 to 24 months and beyond into fiscal year 2027. This growth in committed contracts, with recurring annual contract value (ACV) making up a high percentage of the business, underscores a stable and expanding revenue base.
4. International Market Expansion and Partner Ecosystem: Planet Labs is actively pursuing growth in international markets, with notable revenue growth in EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company is also expanding its partner ecosystem in the commercial market and utilizing low-touch channels, including its acquired Sentinel Hub platform, to reach smaller commercial opportunities. This dual approach of direct large government contracts and broader commercial reach through partners is expected to contribute to overall revenue growth.

Share Repurchases

• Planet Labs PBC has not reported any significant share repurchases or authorized future buyback programs in the last 3-5 years, with a buyback yield of 0.00% as of November 6, 2025.

Share Issuance

• Planet Labs PBC became a public company on December 7, 2021, through a merger with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC), DMY Technology Group Inc IV, which provided over $500 million in capital.
• In September 2025, the company closed a $460 million offering of 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030, aimed at strengthening its financial position while minimizing shareholder dilution.

Inbound Investments

• The company received over $500 million in capital as a result of its SPAC merger and becoming a publicly traded company in December 2021.
• In September 2025, Planet Labs PBC secured $460 million through an offering of convertible senior notes to bolster its balance sheet for long-term growth.

Outbound Investments

• Planet Labs acquired Sinergise, a geospatial systems provider, in March 2023.
• The company completed the acquisition of Salo AI in January 2023.
• Planet Labs acquired VanderSat in November 2021.

Capital Expenditures

• For fiscal year 2024 (ended January 31, 2024), capital expenditures, including capitalized software development, amounted to $42.4 million.
• In Q1 fiscal year 2025, capital expenditures, including capitalized software development, were $11.4 million.
• For the full fiscal year 2026 (ending January 31, 2026), Planet Labs PBC anticipates capital expenditures between $65 million and $75 million, primarily focused on investments in its Pelican, Tanager, and SuperDove satellite fleets to meet accelerating market demand.