California-based Planet Labs plans to establish its first satellite production facility outside the United States in Berlin, investing an eight-figure sum to double its high-resolution satellite output, the company said. The move will add up to 70 employees to the 150 staff already working at its Berlin-based European headquarters, according to CEO Will Marshall.
The new facility will produce high-resolution Pelican satellites capable of analyzing imagery within minutes using artificial intelligence, Marshall said on the sidelines of the BDI Space Congress in Berlin on Thursday. He noted that recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, have highlighted the importance of timely satellite reconnaissance for military and strategic purposes.
Marshall explained that Berlin was selected for its skilled talent pool from local universities and its proximity to the German government, where the company already maintains its European headquarters. “There’s real value in being close to the government,” he said.
The expansion follows a 240-million-euro ($281.83 million) contract Planet Labs secured from the German government in July for satellite services. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche described the decision as a “good signal” of Berlin’s potential as a hub for high-tech companies, adding that no government subsidies were provided for the new facility.
