SkySat Satellite

SkySat is Planet’s high-resolution tasking satellite, delivering 50 cm panchromatic and 1 m multispectral imagery with the capability to revisit and image specific targets on demand. Originally developed by Skybox Imaging (acquired by Google in 2014 and sold to Planet in 2017), SkySat is a 110 kg microsatellite operating at approximately 450 km altitude in a mix of sun-synchronous and inclined orbits to support both global coverage and rapid revisit of priority locations.

Each SkySat carries a high-resolution telescope capable of collecting panchromatic imagery at 50 cm GSD, multispectral imagery (B, G, R, NIR) at approximately 1 m GSD, and short-duration video clips of up to 90 seconds. The video capability allows capture of moving targets, traffic analysis, and time-lapse verification of dynamic sites — a capability unavailable to traditional EO platforms. Planet currently operates 21 SkySat satellites, providing up to 12 daily revisit opportunities over any point on Earth.

SkySat data is primarily used in defense, intelligence, infrastructure monitoring, environmental due diligence, and financial intelligence applications where the resolution and tasking flexibility justify the higher cost compared to Dove imagery. Planet offers SkySat data through its Planet Platform APIs with integration into GIS tools, analytics platforms, and government imagery management systems.