Tanager-1, in the works at Planet Labs for years, has been delivered to SpaceX’s launch site for launch as soon as July. Tanager-1 can image across the visible and shortwave infrared (VSWIR) spectrum allowing for analysis beyond what is obtainable from visible imagery. This will allow detection of methane and carbon dioxide emitters. Planet also claims to expect to provide commercial data for purposes of biodiversity assessments, vegetation analysis, minerals mapping, and water contaminant assessments.
In the same launch are 35 more SuperDove satellites. These are Planet’s smallest size surveillance satellites. The launch of more Doves hints that low resolution 3U satellite imagery still offers value. If true, this should be financially beneficial for Planet since Planet operates more 3U imagery satellites than anybody. Blacksky, Satellogic, and Axelspace do not compete at this resolution, opting for more large satellites with higher resolution. Polish satellite company Satrev does offer competing 5-meter resolution 3U satellites, but with far fewer numbers in space.