Background
NASA’s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) program provides United States government-affiliated scientists and funded partners with access to imagery from several commercial observation platforms, including Planet. These constellations of imagers have often provided higher spatial resolution imaging and greater temporal resolution (when clear sky conditions prevail). In 2024, CSDA licensing agreements expanded to broaden the applicability for scientific applications across the U.S. government and other authorities within the U.S.
Status: Available Now
Based on recommendations from the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG), NASA CSDA provides Planet data access on a U.S. government End User License Agreement (EULA). NASA will not prohibit agency usage of the data if it abides by the EULA requirements (i.e., non-commercial use), including the production of new products to support decision-making. Under current budgetary restraints, NASA is unable to support a lower latency product, although low-latency Planet imagery may be requested with justifications (i.e., disaster response). A new task order was awarded in November 2025 for continued access to the data.
Characteristics
| Platforms | Horizontal Resolution | Geographic Domain | Spectral Bands |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlanetScope, RapidEye | ~ 3 m | Global | Red, Green, Blue (RGB), Near Infrared (NIR) |
Societal Impact
Improved access to data products from commercial systems, reduced latency acquisitions, and improved derivation of new research and operational products can enable new opportunities for research across thematic areas. Planet high-resolution and stereo images have many applications, including mapping trees and canopy elevation, monitoring characteristics and change of land cover, infrastructure, and shorelines.
Resources
For more information about the Broader Access to Planet Data activity, visit the following resources:
- CSDA Program
- CSDA Satellite Data Explorer
- Commercial Datasets available via NASA's CSDA program
- Planet Publications
- Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program Activities
- Training Resources: Broader Access to Planet Data
Workshops and Open Meetings
| Title and Registration Link | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| NASA CSDA Program Vendor Focus - Planet | NASA's Earth Science Division established the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) program to explore the potential for commercial satellite data to advance the agency's Earth science research and application objectives. The program aims to identify, assess, and acquire data from commercial providers, which may offer a cost-effective means of supplementing Earth observations collected by NASA, other U.S. Government agencies, and international collaborators. During this NASA CSDA program vendor webinar, speakers introduced Planet and the company's constellations of Earth observation satellites; showed participants how to discover, access, and work with these data; and spoke about how these data products complement NASA Earth science data holdings for research and applications. Additional discussions focused on services available to data users and how to get assistance with the NASA CSDA program's Planet datasets, services, and tools. | September 27, 2024 |