Planet announces plans for new fleet of Earth observation satellites

Satellite firm Planet is launching a new fleet of observer satellites, the Pelican, which are powerful enough to distinguish road markings on the ground. — AFP PHOTO / Planet Labs, Inc.

Satellite data provider Planet announced Tuesday that it plans to launch a new fleet of orbiting eyes so powerful they can distinguish road markings on the ground.

Planet, which already operates 200 Earth observation satellites from space, wants to make the new function available in 2023.