SATELLITE CATEGORY GUIDE
Planet Satellite Directory: Earth-Imaging Spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit
The Planet category groups catalogued spacecraft associated with Planet's Earth-observation fleets. These satellites are designed around repeated imaging of Earth, and many use low, high-inclination orbits that allow the ground track to cover changing regions over successive passes.
Orbit tracking is not an imagery feed
The directory and live tracker visualize the spacecraft's calculated orbit. They do not provide the satellite's camera view, image acquisition plan, tasking status or commercial imagery archive. Those products depend on the operator's instruments, scheduling and data-processing systems.
Earth-imaging missions often favor near-polar or sun-synchronous geometry because consistent local solar time can help compare images taken on different dates. Not every object in a broad catalog group necessarily has identical altitude, inclination or operational status.
What to compare
Open several objects and compare inclination, altitude and the spacing of their ground tracks. Then contrast them with geostationary satellites, whose high-altitude geometry is designed for continuous regional viewing rather than repeated low-orbit swaths. The Science Satellites category provides another useful Earth-orbit comparison.
How this directory works
Select one Planet spacecraft to inspect its individual low-Earth orbit and ground track. The tracker explains where the platform is calculated to be; image acquisition, tasking and commercial imagery products remain separate from the orbital display.
Low-orbit Earth-imaging spacecraft can be affected by drag and occasional manoeuvres, so orbital-element freshness matters. A correct orbital position also does not imply that a camera is imaging, downlinking or tasked at that moment.
What to remember about accuracy
Frequently asked questions
Is the position direct spacecraft telemetry?
No. The live map is calculated from public orbital elements.
Does appearing in this directory mean a satellite is operational?
No. Catalog membership and mission status are different things.
Can I track one object in more detail?
Yes. Open a selected Planet satellite to see its calculated orbit and observer-relative geometry from your saved location.
Sources and related tools
- CelesTrak: General Perturbations data formats
- Planet: Earth observation overview
- SpaceTracker.live Satellite Directory
- How SpaceTracker.live calculates positions
Educational-use note: SpaceTracker.live is an independent educational website. Positions and pass predictions are calculated from third-party orbital elements and may be delayed or approximate. Do not use them for navigation, collision avoidance or other safety-critical decisions.