If you can search for and preview PlanetScope or SkySat imagery but receive an error such as no access to assets or download available: false when you try to order or download it, the most common cause is the type of account you are using. Trial and evaluation accounts can search the catalog and work with sample data, but they do not include download entitlements for the full commercial archive. This article explains what these accounts include, why the error appears, and how to get download access.

What trial and evaluation accounts include

A 30-day Planet Insights Platform trial and most evaluation or exploration accounts provide access to:

• Catalog search across the available data collections, so you can confirm that imagery exists over an Area of Interest (AOI).
• Sample data collections and Planet Sandbox Data for testing workflows.
• A fixed allotment of processing units (PUs) and API requests.
• API and SDK access to the Catalog, Process, OGC, and related Planet APIs.

These accounts do not include download or ordering entitlements for the full commercial PlanetScope and SkySat archive. Searching the catalog confirms that a scene exists, but it does not mean the account is permitted to download that scene.

Why the error appears

Ordering imagery involves two separate permissions: the permission to search for a scene, and the permission to activate and download its assets. Trial and evaluation accounts have search permission but not download permission for commercial assets. When you place an order for an asset the account cannot download, you see one of the following:

• A no access to assets error when the order is submitted.
• An order that completes as partial, because the account lacked permission to download some or all of the requested assets.
• A clip tool request that is rejected, because clipping requires the same download entitlement as a full order.

Note: The clip tool is a hosted raster operation that runs as part of an order. If the account cannot download the underlying asset, it cannot clip it either.

How to get download access

1. Confirm the account type. In the Planet Insights Platform, open the account or subscription page and check whether the plan is a trial, evaluation, or exploration account rather than a paid subscription.
2. Test your workflow with data you can access. Trial and evaluation accounts can order and download Planet Sandbox Data and the sample collections, which is enough to validate an integration before you buy.
3. To download commercial PlanetScope or SkySat archive imagery, move to a paid plan or request the appropriate provisioning. Review the available plans in What are my purchase options?
4. If you believe download access should already be enabled for your account, log a ticket with Planet Support. Include the account or organization that is affected, the data type you are trying to order (for example, PlanetScope or SkySat), and the exact error message you receive. Do not include API keys or passwords.

Related resources

• What data and services does the Planet Insights Platform trial provide access to?
• Access Planet Sandbox Data during the 30-day trial
• Purchasing commercial imagery with a Planet Insights Platform trial account
• Orders API overview on the Planet developer documentation, for the technical detail on activating and downloading assets and using the clip tool.