Daily Satellite Imagery, Anywhere on Earth
U-Spatial manages the University's subscription to Planet.com, giving UMN researchers direct access to daily high-resolution satellite imagery.
What This Data Unlocks
Planet's PlanetScope constellation images the entire globe every day at 3-meter resolution, in 4- and 8-band formats. Add SkySat's high-resolution archive (scenes six months and older) and automated monthly and quarterly composite basemaps, and researchers get a rare combination: near-daily change detection at a resolution fine enough to track individual fields, floodplains, or construction sites.
It's the kind of dataset that turns "how has this place changed since last month" from a research proposal into an afternoon's analysis. This is useful for tracking agricultural cycles, monitoring disaster response, watching urban sprawl, or documenting environmental change in near-real time.
Additional uses and/or benefits
Unmetered Basemaps
Monthly and quarterly composite basemaps don't count against your usage quota, so you can build persistent, up-to-date background layers without eating into your allocation.
Share Across Your Research Team
Downloaded PlanetScope and SkySat scenes can be redistributed to other UMN affiliates in perpetuity, so your whole research team can work from the same imagery without each person filing a separate request.
Works Inside the Tools You Already Use
Dedicated add-ins for ArcGIS Pro and QGIS let you pull Planet imagery directly into your existing GIS workflow instead of managing downloads separately.
Getting Access
This imagery service is available to every UMN student, faculty, and staff member for research and coursework, at no direct cost.
Steps
- Submit the Planet.com Access Request Form.
- Once approved, access Planet's imagery through the Explorer web app, the API, or one of the desktop add-ins below.
Questions before you apply, or trouble with an existing account? Contact the U-Spatial Help Desk.
Data Resources
Planet Labs Imagery FAQs
Quick answers to what people ask us most about accessing and using this imagery.
How current is this imagery?
As current as yesterday, in most cases.
PlanetScope captures new imagery of the entire globe daily. SkySat's higher-resolution imagery becomes available once it's six months old.
Can I share this imagery with collaborators outside UMN?
Not under the current agreement.
Redistribution rights under the University's contract are limited to UMN affiliates. If your project involves external collaborators, contact the Help Desk to talk through your options before sharing scenes.
Can I use Planet imagery directly in ArcGIS Pro or QGIS?
Yes — dedicated add-ins are available for both.
Planet provides desktop add-ins for ArcGIS Pro (both 2.x and 3.x) and QGIS, so you can pull imagery directly into the software you're already using rather than downloading and importing scenes manually.
Do I need to cite this data in publications?
Yes — check the Terms of Service for specifics.
Since downloaded scenes may be retained to support peer-reviewed publications, review the Authorized User Terms of Service for the citation and attribution requirements that apply to your specific use case.
How long does access approval take?
Typically a short turnaround after your form is submitted.
Once you submit the Planet.com Access Request Form, U-Spatial processes requests directly — contact the Help Desk if you haven't heard back within a few business days.
What It Costs
Free for the UMN Community
Planet Labs imagery is free for every UMN student, faculty, and staff member for research and coursework, covered by the University's subscription to Planet.com.
Use is governed by the Master Content License Agreement between Planet Labs and the University — redistribution and retention rights extend only to UMN affiliates, and access to scenes retained for publication support is limited to the UMN network. Review the full Authorized User Terms of Service and agriculture segment terms before starting a project that depends on this data.
Costs Beyond the University
For those who aren't affiliated with the University, Planet imagery is licensed directly through Planet Labs and priced by product, coverage area, and contract term. See Planet's pricing page for current options, or contact their sales team for a quote.
Ready to Start Exploring Imagery?
Submit the access request form and you'll be pulling daily satellite imagery into your project shortly after.