Flooding applications enabled by high resolution, high cadence imagery from the Planet constellation of satellites

Flooding is the most common and costliest global natural disaster, accounting for 43% of all recorded events in the last 20 years and increasing the global cost of flooding tenfold by 2030. Satellite imagery has proven beneficial for numerous flood use cases from historical modeling, situational awareness and extent, to risk forecasting. The addition of high resolution, high cadence satellite imagery from Planet has been widely adopted by the flood community, from researchers in academia to private companies in the insurance and financial services. 

Planet Labs, Inc. currently operates over 140 satellites, comprising of the largest constellation of Earth observation satellites. The PlanetScope dataset consists of broad coverage, always-on imaging of the entire landmass by 120+ Dove satellites at 3.7 meter resolution. Complementary to PlanetScope, the SkySat dataset includes 15 high resolution satellites imaging at .72 meter resolution with the ability to image any location on Earth twice daily via tasking commands. Next-Generation PlanetScope imagery powered by SuperDove will introduce new spectral bands and interoperability positioned for the increased utilization of Planet imagery by the flood community for both existing and new applications.