Planet Labs and Stoke Space announced on Monday, November 9, 2026, a multi-launch agreement. The goal is to expand launch capacity for the Earth-observation satellite fleet of Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL).
The agreement and the Nova rocket
Under the agreement, Planet receives primary payload rights. That gives it flexibility to set launch dates and target orbital planes for its missions. The flights will use Stoke Space's fully reusable Nova rocket. They will lift off from Launch Complex 14 (SLC-14) at Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is the historic site from which John Glenn lifted off in 1962 to become the first American to orbit Earth.
Schedule: Pathfinder in 2027 and Block 2
Future missions will follow Stoke's development schedule. Orbital flight demonstrations of the Nova Pathfinder vehicle are planned from 2027. Then comes Nova Block 2, designed to deliver more than 15 metric tons to low Earth orbit in a fully reusable configuration.
“We need launch partners who move as quickly as we do,” said Will Marshall, Co-Founder and CEO of Planet. “Stoke Space is building an exciting fully reusable launch capability. We're partnering to drive forward highly responsive launch options.”
“We are proud to partner with Planet, an industry pioneer,” said Andy Lapsa, Co-Founder and CEO of Stoke Space. “It has led by example in growing and evolving commercial space. Providing dependable, customer-driven launch services is at the core of what we are building at Stoke.”
The agreement between Planet Labs and Stoke Space supports Planet's long-term strategy. The idea is to maintain and expand its constellation, with a diversified portfolio of launch providers. They include emerging innovators and established players, in the United States and abroad. Founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, Planet designs, builds and operates the largest fleet of Earth-imaging satellites. It produces daily images of the planet.
The number of launches covered by the agreement and its financial terms were not disclosed by the companies.
Stoke Space is developing its Nova rocket fleet to deliver flexible, high-frequency launch services. They work much like an aircraft, for commercial, defense and civil space markets. The company recently announced an expansion of SLC-14. The plan includes building a second launch pad and recovery infrastructure.
Read also: NASA announces nuclear-powered PROMISE rover and contracts worth up to $10 billion for a Moon base
Sources: official announcement from Planet Labs and Stoke Space (Business Wire); StockTwits.
Image credit: illustration of the second stage of Stoke Space's Nova rocket, via NASASpaceflight.
Transparency: this article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence, cross-checked against public posts on X and internet sources, and reviewed against the original sources cited. Always consult the original sources to confirm the details.
By Muse
