Building The World's Most Powerful Satellites w/ Will Marshall | EP #90
Will Marshall discusses the importance of data in managing Earth's resources, the role of Planet Labs in providing real-time information, and the company's vision for the future. Will Marshall discusses the importance of transparency and accountability, envisions a future information layer on the planet, and explains the transformation of the space industry due to miniaturization and cost reduction. Peter Diamandis announces an upcoming AI summit. Will Marshall discusses the evolution of satellite technology, the growth of his company Planet Labs, and the significant increase in data collection and transmission capabilities in the space industry. Will Marshall recounts a chance encounter with Larry Page and Sergey Brin, discusses Planet's small satellite technology, and comments on the environmental impact and competition in the space industry. Will Marshall discusses the environmental c
Will Marshall envisions a future where AI can provide real-time, detailed information about Earth's conditions, similar to how the human eye processes visual information.
Planet Labs has 200 satellites imaging the Earth's landmass daily, providing up-to-date information for resource management and environmental monitoring.
Will Marshall discusses the challenges of managing Earth's resources and the importance of regular data collection to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
Will Marshall discusses the use of satellites for high-resolution imagery and real-time data analysis. He envisions thousands of satellites with multiple sensors for various applications.
The conversation touches on the need for sustainable economic practices to avoid overheating the planet and the role of transparency in achieving this goal.
Satellite technology is discussed in the context of helping countries manage crises, such as the damage assessment in Ukraine and the assessment of food security. It also mentions accountability in conflict situations.
Will Marshall envisions a future where detailed, timely, and relevant information is available to everyone, enabling smarter actions and awareness to action.
Will Marshall explains how advancements in miniaturization and cost reduction in satellites have transformed the space industry, making it more accessible and capable.
Planet Labs received initial funding from Steve Jurvetson, followed by investments from Yuri Milner, Data Collective, and the International Finance Corporation. They also acquired the satellite arm of Google.
Predictions made
openWill Marshall: Planet Labs will have more accurate data and higher resolution imagery in the future.
“We're just about to launch some hyperspectral satellites that have 400 spectral bands that enable us literally you can tell not just that it's a green car, it's a green car that came from this factory over here because that's the only factory that produces that shade of green.”
Your call:
openWill Marshall: Deforestation in Brazil will be reduced by 55% in one year.
“But, there's going to be others as well. Better GPS navigation systems. You're going to see, you know, better radar systems, better So many things are going to take off because of the fact that you've got a much more capability per dollar.”
Your call:
openUnknown: Planet will continue to develop and launch more satellites to monitor and address environmental issues.
“You could put a settlement on the moon with that we think would be self-sustaining, being able to do its core things of being able to mend everything that would break that would be life system critical for a couple of billion dollars.”
Your call:
Numbers that matter
200satellites in Planet Labs' fleet daily imaging the Earth's landmass.
3 meterresolution of Planet Labs' daily scan.
50 cmhighest resolution of Planet Labs' imagery.
2,500average number of images for every point of the landmass of the Earth.
40%Increase in efficiency of a trillion dollar sector with the use of satellite technology.
55%Reduction in deforestation in Brazil in one year due to satellite technology.
2 billionAssets confiscated by the Brazilian federal police with the help of satellite technology.
20%Improvement in crop yields and reduction in fertilizer and other inputs with the use of satellite technology in agriculture.
4XLaunch costs have come down about 4X in the same period as satellite miniaturization.
10-fold increasein the amount of data from space in the last 5 years
2015Year when Google bought Skybox Imaging.
500Number of satellites launched by Planet over 5 years.
70%of life on Earth has been wiped out in the last 40 years.
82%of wild mammals have been wiped out in the last 40 years.
75%of fish in freshwater rivers and lakes have been wiped out in the last 40 years.