Satellite firm extends Middle East image delay to prevent use by US adversaries
Source: Reuters
March 10, 2026 6:28 PM EDT Updated 11 hours ago
WASHINGTON, March 10 (Reuters) - California-based Planet Labs has expanded restrictions on accessing its imagery of the Middle East to prevent adversaries from using it to attack the U.S. and its allies, a sign of how the expansion of commercial space business can impact conflicts.
Planet, which operates a large fleet of Earth-imaging satellites and sells frequently updated images to governments, companies and media, told customers on Monday that it was extending restrictions to a period of 14 days from a delay of four days imposed last week.
The move was temporary and in “an effort to limit any uncontrolled distribution of the images that might result in their unintentional access and use as tactical leverage by adversarial actors,” a Planet spokesperson told Reuters in a statement.
“This conflict is dynamic and in many ways unique to others, and thus Planet is taking robust steps to help ensure our images do not contribute in any way to attacks on allied and NATO personnel and civilians," the spokesperson said. Some space specialists say that Iran could be accessing commercial imagery, including via other U.S. adversaries.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/satellite-firm-extends-middle-east-image-delay-prevent-use-by-us-adversaries-2026-03-10/
It's not like a base is going to get up and walk away.
But I guess if they are looking for plane or ordinance movements.