Why Are There Gaps Between Scenes?

At Planet, we understand the importance of providing clients with consistent and comprehensive satellite imagery. However, it is crucial to note that occasional gaps between scenes are common and expected in the field of SmallSat imagery.

Various factors can cause these gaps, including adjustments to the satellite orientation in orbit. Planet satellites change orientation in orbit for distinct reasons that do not apply to traditional large satellite operators. This movement can result in slightly off-nadir pointing and gaps between scenes.

A secondary reason for gaps might come from the fact that we apply a basic filter to all images before publishing them to the API. This filter considers factors such as cloud cover, which can affect the image quality. If an image fails to pass the filter execution, gaps in that acquisition strip might exist between scenes.