NASA is set to conduct a large-scale evaluation of hyperspectral imagery from Planet Labs (NYSE: PL), a move that could significantly expand the use of commercial satellite data in Earth science research. The evaluation, announced on October 21, covers more than 250,000 square kilometers of both archived and newly collected imagery under NASA's Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition program.
Scope of the Evaluation
The assessment will focus on the Tanager satellite's ability to deliver reliable scientific measurements. Tanager captures over 400 contiguous spectral channels at a nominal 30-meter resolution, providing detailed spectral signatures across visible and infrared wavelengths. NASA will examine data quality and its usefulness across various research areas, including atmospheric composition, biodiversity, water resources, and geology.
Technical Details and Processing
Planet's processing pipeline corrects sensor bias, aligns imagery, and estimates surface reflectance, which are critical steps to make raw observations comparable to scientific measurements. The evaluation will determine if these products meet NASA's rigorous research standards.
The instrument specifications are notable: approximately 426 spectral bands spanning 380 to 2,500 nanometers, with a channel spacing of about 5 nanometers. The collection swath width is 18 kilometers. However, the 30-meter pixel size means that smaller features within a pixel cannot be resolved separately.
There is also a tradeoff between sensitivity and coverage. In standard sensitivity mode, the maximum collection length is 481.2 kilometers, while in maximum sensitivity mode it drops to 65.9 kilometers. The higher sensitivity mode extends exposure time from 8 to 32 milliseconds, improving signal quality but reducing the area covered per pass.
Status of the Tanager Constellation
The evaluation order comes shortly after Tanager-2, the second satellite in the constellation, captured its first images. On October 20, Planet reported that Tanager-2 imaged Spain on October 7, just six days after launch. However, commissioning and calibration of the satellite are still ongoing, which means its performance may not yet match that of Tanager-1.
Independent Technical Baseline from USGS
An independent assessment of Tanager-1's performance was published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in May 2026, with a revision in July. The USGS tests covered band alignment, geographic positioning, radiometric response, and spatial sharpness. Key findings included band-to-band geometric errors below one-tenth of a pixel, position offsets relative to Landsat ranging from -5.98 to +11.35 meters, and a point-spread width of 1.27 to 1.75 pixels at half maximum. These measurements provide a baseline for understanding Tanager-1's capabilities, but they do not certify Tanager-2.
Potential Applications and Examples
Planet's first-light example from Tanager-2 illustrates the range of applications. The imagery of Spain's Pink Lake included a methane plume detected by Carbon Mapper from the same capture, showcasing how hyperspectral data can be used for environmental monitoring. However, NASA has not yet completed its assessment of these applications.
Data Access and Licensing
Access to the data will be managed through NASA's Satellite Data Explorer, which allows browsing of acquired commercial holdings. Downloads require authentication and approval under one of three license levels. An evaluation award does not automatically grant unrestricted distribution; the final report from NASA will inform broader access for federally funded scientists.
Market Context and Implications
This evaluation is a significant step for Planet Labs, as it could validate the commercial viability of hyperspectral data for government research. Success could lead to larger contracts and wider adoption of satellite-based Earth observation. However, risks remain, including the ongoing commissioning of Tanager-2 and the inherent limitations of spatial resolution. The timeline for NASA's report is not yet specified, leaving uncertainty about when broader access decisions will be made.
As Planet co-founder Robbie Schingler noted, realizing the potential of hyperspectral data depends on how quickly and effectively scientists can put it to work. The outcome of this evaluation will be closely watched by the industry.
