Planet and SES SD Successfully Demonstrate Intersatellite Data Relay
Commercial satellite data relay services could aid critical customer applications like disaster response. PlanetScope image of wildfires in Uiseong, Republic of Korea on March 25, 2025. © 2025 Planet Labs PBC. All Rights Reserved.
TechWe're excited to share that Planet and SES Space & Defense (SES SD) have successfully demonstrated an intersatellite link between a Planet Pelican™ satellite and the SES mPOWER constellation — a significant milestone in our work to expand access to Earth data.
Under NASA's Communications Services Project contract, Planet and SES SD are demonstrating commercial satellite data relay services using SES's mPOWER fleet of Ka-band satellites. This project aims to establish data relay capabilities that can support future NASA science missions and accelerate the delivery of critical Earth observations.
In this demonstration, our Pelican satellite in a 500 km sun synchronous orbit used its Ka-band radio to transmit data to an SES mPOWER satellite at 8,000 km altitude. This signal was then relayed to an SES ground station in Manassas, Virginia. The data was received error-free, validating the technical approach and opening new possibilities for high-speed, on-demand, real-time communications.
Radio links in the data relay system.
Why This Intersatellite Link Matters
Our patented space-to-space relay technology represents a fundamental shift in how satellite data reaches the ground. Traditionally, Earth observation satellites use a store-and-forward method, where images collected by the satellite are stored on board until a ground station contact is made, many hours later. However, with direct satellite relays, like what we accomplished with SES O3B mPOWER medium Earth orbit constellation, Planet satellites transmitted imagery and insights with near-real-time delivery.
This advancement would be a major step forward in satellite communications and downlinking. In addition to NASA’s planned applications, these advancements could aid critical customer applications like supporting disaster response to providing faster imagery and insights for defense and intelligence applications. Faster access to data means more effective decision-making.
By leveraging a commercial communications constellation already built for terrestrial users, NASA’s Communications Services Project is demonstrating that communications in support of the agency’s near-Earth science missions can be delivered cost effectively, without requiring significant government investment in dedicated relay infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
We're currently building our next demonstration satellite, scheduled for launch next year, which will feature a steerable antenna and advanced radio capable of two-way communications at significantly higher data rates than the 1 Mbps achieved in this initial demonstration.
This work reflects our commitment to continuously improving how we deliver Earth data to our customers — making insights more timely, accessible, and actionable when they matter most.
And if you’re interested in learning more, we encourage you to visit our website for information about our satellite constellations and patents.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this blog are “forward-looking statements” about Planet within the meaning of the securities laws, including statements about the expansion of the high resolution capacity of Planet’s fleet, the delivery of such capacity to Planet customers, and the Company’s ability to realize any of the potential benefits from product and satellite launches, either as designed, within the expected time frame, in a cost-effective manner, or at all. Such statements, which are not of historical fact, involve estimates, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors are detailed in Planet’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Planet does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events, except as required by applicable law.
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