US Company to Start Making Satellites in Berlin

The San Francisco-based company launched an eight-figure expansion of its presence in Berlin last year, and the head of its German operations, Martin Polak, told the dpa news agency that it is now ready to start building its Pelican satellites. Planet Labs expect its Berlin facility to produce 60 satellites a year.

The satellites can provide data about the weather and climate change as well as sensitive military information. Planet Labs has worked with European governments for over a decade.

Germany Trade & Invest and the regional investment promotion agency Berlin Partner assisted Planet Labs in its Berlin expansion.

"Opening our new manufacturing facility in Berlin marks a major milestone for Planet, made possible by the outstanding support of Germany Trade & Invest and Berlin Partner," says Polack. "Their teams were instrumental in helping us secure the ideal location and navigate our project planning from day one. Germany’s world-class tech ecosystem and top-tier talent make Berlin the ideal location for expansion, allowing us to deliver sovereign satellite capabilities that meet the critical security and intelligence needs of Germany and Europe.” 

Source: Planet Labs, dpa