Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a global leader in providing daily satellite data and Earth insights, and VITO, one of Europe’s premier research and technology organizations, have announced an extension of their long-standing partnership aimed at expanding the impact of Earth observation technologies. The renewed collaboration will leverage the combined strengths of Planet’s cutting-edge satellite imagery and VITO’s powerful analytics platforms to accelerate innovation and deliver actionable insights that drive agricultural productivity, global monitoring, and environmental resilience.
The extended agreement deepens a partnership that has already demonstrated the transformative potential of combining high-frequency, high-resolution Earth observation data with advanced data science and analytics. Planet and VITO share a vision of using satellite intelligence to better understand and manage the planet’s natural resources. By strengthening this partnership, the two organizations aim to make Earth observation data more accessible, timely, and useful for both public and private stakeholders worldwide.
Leveraging Planet’s Comprehensive Earth Data
Under the terms of the extended collaboration, VITO will have access to a broad suite of Planet’s geospatial data and analytics products. This includes Planet’s near-daily global PlanetScope archive, which provides imagery at a resolution detailed enough to monitor agricultural fields, forests, and urban environments; Fusion, which integrates PlanetScope imagery with other data sources to generate seamless, cloud-free mosaics; and Analysis-Ready PlanetScope products, which allow users to integrate satellite data directly into their models and workflows.
Additionally, VITO will utilize Planet’s Planetary Variables—data feeds derived from satellite observations that provide essential environmental indicators such as vegetation biomass, soil moisture, and land surface temperature. By combining these datasets with its own sophisticated analytical capabilities, VITO will develop next-generation solutions to track environmental change, support sustainable agriculture, and enhance natural resource management.
Co-Developing Data-Driven Solutions for Global Impact
The collaboration between Planet and VITO goes beyond data sharing. Together, the organizations are co-developing user-centric solutions designed to meet the real-world needs of decision-makers across industries. From monitoring crop health to assessing deforestation or mapping biodiversity, these solutions will help governments, NGOs, and businesses translate complex Earth data into clear, actionable insights.
“VITO and Planet are united in our belief that in order to protect our planet, we must have the data and insights to understand how it’s changing daily, weekly and beyond,” said Ashley Johnson, President and CFO of Planet. “VITO’s deep expertise in environmental monitoring and analytics, combined with Planet’s unique Earth observation data, will unlock new possibilities for addressing critical global challenges. We look forward to co-developing solutions that will have a real-world impact for stakeholders.”
Johnson emphasized that the extended partnership reflects Planet’s commitment to creating an open ecosystem where technology providers, researchers, and policymakers can collaborate to drive sustainability outcomes. By integrating VITO’s analytical models with Planet’s satellite data, the partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of Earth observation for climate action, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity protection.
Advancing Biodiversity and Environmental Monitoring
One of the first initiatives under the extended partnership will focus on state-of-the-art habitat mapping. Using Planet’s high-resolution data, the partners plan to deliver detailed biodiversity maps that will enable companies and governments to assess the ecological impact of their activities. These maps will help organizations monitor changes in land use, track conservation progress, and make informed, data-driven decisions to minimize their environmental footprint.
This initiative aligns with growing global demand for reliable, science-based environmental data to support compliance with sustainability frameworks such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By making biodiversity and habitat information more accessible and dynamic, Planet and VITO hope to empower both public and private sector leaders to make smarter, more responsible choices for the planet.
Strengthening Europe’s Leadership in Earth Observation
For VITO, the collaboration with Planet represents a natural extension of its mission to translate cutting-edge research into tangible societal benefits. Headquartered in Belgium, VITO has been a key player in European Earth observation programs such as Copernicus, and it has developed widely used tools for remote sensing and environmental analysis. Partnering with Planet—whose constellation of over 200 satellites captures daily imagery of the entire land surface of the Earth—gives VITO the opportunity to enhance the temporal resolution and timeliness of its analytics.
“Our reinforced partnership with Planet marks a significant step forward in accelerating the use of Earth observation for societal benefit,” said Inge Neven, CEO of VITO. “Planet’s commitment to daily, global imagery perfectly complements VITO’s proven analytical capabilities. Together, we will enhance our ability to deliver actionable insights that empower decision-makers, fostering a more sustainable future.”
Neven added that the collaboration will focus on bridging the gap between data and decisions—translating large volumes of satellite imagery into clear, usable information that supports policies on land use, water management, food security, and climate adaptation.
Enabling a Data-Driven Future for Agriculture and Sustainability
In agriculture, the Planet-VITO partnership is expected to enable more precise, adaptive, and sustainable farming practices. With near-daily updates on crop conditions, soil health, and vegetation growth, farmers and agribusinesses can make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting. These insights will not only improve productivity but also help reduce resource use and environmental impact.
Beyond agriculture, the partnership’s expanded capabilities will also support global monitoring efforts—ranging from disaster response and forest conservation to urban development and water management. By combining near-real-time imagery with powerful analytics, Planet and VITO will deliver tools that allow organizations to anticipate risks, track changes, and plan interventions more effectively.
A Shared Vision for Planetary Stewardship
Planet and VITO’s renewed commitment underscores a shared vision: that Earth observation is one of the most powerful tools available for understanding and protecting the planet. With environmental challenges intensifying worldwide—from climate change and deforestation to biodiversity loss and water scarcity—timely and accurate data has never been more critical.
By deepening their collaboration, Planet and VITO are demonstrating how partnerships between commercial technology providers and research institutions can drive progress toward global sustainability goals. Their joint efforts are poised to deliver not only better data but also better decisions—helping humanity manage the planet’s resources more wisely and build resilience for the generations to come.
At its core, this partnership reflects a fundamental belief shared by both organizations: when science, technology, and collaboration come together, we can create a more sustainable and informed world.
