SpaceX will launch the new Pelican Gen 1: edge computing in space with NVIDIA
Planet Labs has confirmed the shipment of three new satellites from the Pelican constellation to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The units, classified as Gen 1, represent a fundamental step in enhancing the company's high-resolution monitoring capability. The launch is scheduled aboard SpaceX's CAS500/2 rideshare mission, consolidating a logistical partnership aimed at rapidly scaling orbital infrastructure to meet the needs of the defense, civilian government, and commercial sectors.
The Pelican Gen 1 satellites being shipped are designed to capture images with a class resolution of 50 cm. This data is complemented by the use of six multispectral bands optimized to ensure maximum data consistency during multi-sensor analyses. The choice of this configuration aims to provide a solid basis for geospatial intelligence products that require temporal continuity and color precision. Once the commissioning phase in orbit is completed, these three units will join the already operational Pelican satellites to increase the revisit rate over critical areas of interest.
The Pelican Gen 1 satellites are ready: they will bring AI into space with NVIDIA Jetson. The most significant technical breakthrough in this mission is the integration on board each satellite of the NVIDIA Jetson platform. Implementing artificial intelligence directly in space (edge computing) allows raw data to be processed before transmission to Earth, significantly reducing operational latency and enabling the extraction of information and responses almost in real-time instead of simply downloading large images. The insights-oriented approach is crucial for scenarios where the speed of decision-making depends on how quickly the satellite identifies changes or anomalies on the Earth's surface.
Despite the current focus on orbiting Gen 1, Planet has already outlined the next steps in its dual strategy. By the end of 2026, launches for Generation 2 (Gen 2) are expected to commence. These new assets are designed to push up to a resolution class of 30 cm, a technical limit that brings commercial capabilities closer to those of more advanced government intelligence systems. The Pelican fleet will work synergistically with the Tanager constellation, dedicated to hyperspectral analysis, thus providing coverage that combines extreme visual detail with the ability to detect chemical and environmental signatures invisible to the human eye.
Maintaining an internal production line in San Francisco has allowed for the acceleration of integration and shipping times, ensuring a launch cadence that keeps pace with global changes. With the arrival at Vandenberg, the mission enters its final preparation phase for takeoff.