Popular News in 2019, As Seen From Space
Tags: Satellite Imagery, 2019, Space, Aerospace, Satellite

Satellite view of Lake Matthews Estelle Mountain Reserve in Riverside County in March of 2019, © 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

2018 was a newsworthy year and 2019 didn’t miss a beat either. As the year comes to a close, we reflect on some of the most notable and historic events captured from space — from Saudi oil attacks, North Korean missile launches, flooding, earthquakes and more. Planet continues to make imagery available to news organizations, NGOs and first responders, providing the world with a unique perspective to make better decisions as events arise.

Planet satellites get a clear view of the Anak Krakatau volcano

Our imagery shows a cloud-free view of the collapsed Anak Krakatau volcano in the Indonesian province of Lampung.

© 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Breach of the dam in Brumadinho, Brazil

A dam with mineral waste collapsed in Brazil, with roughly 12 million cubic meters of mud flooding the landscape.

© 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

North Korea launches a missile on the Hodo Peninsula

A billowy smoke trail was left behind by a North Korean launch on the Hodo Peninsula. The thick, smoky appearance of the exhaust suggested to experts that they launched a short-range ballistic missile.

Analysis provided by Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, © 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

California earthquake creates a massive crack in the Earth

Following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, a crack formed in the Ridgecrest area close to the quake’s epicenter.

© 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Boeing 737 MAXs pile up

Sixty 737 MAX planes were spotted in a section of Boeing Field near the 737 factory in Renton, Washington — a result of aviation safety regulators forcing the planes to be grounded after two crashes in a five month span.

© 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Iranian rocket launch ends in failure

A rocket appeared to have exploded on the launch pad at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in northern Iran. The Middlebury Institute of International Studies analyzed our imagery to determine that the pad had been newly painted — and that multiple vehicles had surrounded the site in what appears to be preparation for launch.

Analysis provided by Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, © 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Attacks on Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery

Black smoke arose from a Saudi oil processing plant following a series of explosions caused by a drone attack.

© 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Japan counts the cost of Typhoon Hagibis

The river Naka in Hinuma, Japan burst its banks and flooded homes as a result of Typhoon Hagibis, the biggest typhoon to hit Japan in decades.

© 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nebraska and Iowa rivers swallow towns

Offutt Air Force Base sat in Missouri River floodwaters just south of Omaha, Nebraska. Nine aircraft were evacuated and approximately 30 buildings on base were flooded, officials said.

© 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Amazon fires cause global warming concerns as they rapidly spread

The Brazilian state of Para was ablaze, as fires increased and devastated various parts of the Amazon forest.

© 2019, Planet Labs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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