Interview with Dr. Chris Boshuizen: Building Planet Labs and Redefining Earth Observation

Interview with Dr. Chris Boshuizen: From Lego Sets to Planet Labs and the Edge of Space

Introduction

Dr. Chris Boshuizen has lived a journey that reflects both resilience and imagination—qualities that have carried him from a childhood love of Lego sets to co-founding Planet Labs and eventually flying to space with Blue Origin. In our conversation, he opened up about early inspirations, setbacks that reshaped his path, the creation of Planet Labs’ Earth-imaging satellites, and the life-changing experience of finally seeing space with his own eyes. His story is a reminder that the pursuit of dreams is often measured not in years but in decades.

Early Inspirations: Space, Lego, and Music

From an early age, Boshuizen was drawn to space. His mother recalls him talking about it at just four years old, while Lego space sets further fueled his imagination. Music was another passion, with guitars and recording studios woven into his school and university years. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining creative outlets beyond STEM, arguing that a mix of science and art shaped the way he approached challenges. This balance became central to his journey into aerospace.

A Colorblind Setback

As a teenager in Australia, Boshuizen imagined becoming a NASA astronaut by joining the Air Force, transferring to the U.S., and flying the Space Shuttle. That dream ended abruptly when he was diagnosed as colorblind, rendering him permanently medically unfit for military service. “That was devastating,” he admits. But instead of giving up, he pivoted—choosing physics as a degree, which ultimately led him to NASA Ames Research Center in California. There, he found himself working on small spacecraft, learning engineering on the job despite having no formal degree in the field. This setback became the launchpad for his Plan B.

Building Planet Labs

At NASA Ames, Boshuizen helped create PhoneSat—a CubeSat powered by an Android phone. The project demonstrated that low-cost, off-the-shelf technology could survive and function in orbit. That proof-of-concept inspired the founding of Planet Labs, a company that would go on to deploy hundreds of shoebox-sized satellites to image the entire Earth daily.

Convincing skeptics was not easy. Traditional aerospace circles trusted only “space-qualified” hardware—technology proven by years of prior use. Planet Labs challenged that assumption, leveraging rapid improvements in consumer electronics to stay ahead. The idea seemed reckless to many, but as Boshuizen explains, “Because we were willing to take risks, we could move faster than everyone else.” Today, Planet’s satellites provide invaluable data for disaster response, environmental monitoring, and government intelligence, showing that the bet on small satellites paid off.

Changing How We See Earth

One of Planet’s greatest contributions has been the ability to capture daily images of the entire planet, creating a time-lapse of Earth’s surface. During natural disasters—earthquakes, floods, or wildfires—Planet’s satellites allow first responders to compare yesterday’s images with today’s, providing immediate insights on where help is needed most. After Nepal’s devastating earthquake, for instance, Planet’s data revealed unmapped villages, allowing aid to reach communities invisible to traditional maps. These examples underscore the profound humanitarian impact of daily Earth observation.

What’s Next for Small Satellites

Looking ahead, Boshuizen sees small satellites gaining even greater capability. Faster radios will enable higher-resolution images, while hyperspectral imaging—capturing dozens of light bands beyond visible red, green, and blue—will unlock new insights into plant health, pollution, and water quality. The ability to detect environmental changes earlier and at finer detail will make small satellites indispensable in addressing global challenges.

Seeing Earth’s Blue Edge

Despite his technical achievements, nothing could match the experience of finally flying to space with Blue Origin. For Boshuizen, the moment that left him awestruck was the view of Earth’s atmosphere. Unlike the pale line seen in photographs, to the human eye it appeared as a “sapphire laser”—a sheet of impossibly bright blue light. The brilliance of that view, he recalls, was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. After 27 years of dreaming, the reality exceeded even his highest expectations.

Risks and Opportunities in Space

As humanity expands further into space, Boshuizen warns of repeating the mistakes made on Earth. “The greatest risk is that we make a mess,” he says, pointing to the growing issue of space debris. But he also sees an opportunity: just as leaving home forces young adults to learn responsibility, moving into space may push humanity to mature as a species. Cleaning up after ourselves—both on Earth and in orbit—may become an essential industry and a cultural turning point.

Advice for the Next Generation

Boshuizen’s core advice is simple yet profound: never give up on your dream. At 17, he wanted to be an astronaut. At 44, he finally became one. “If I had quit at year 25, I never would have known I was just two years away,” he reflects. His message to students is clear—dreams may take decades, but persistence is what transforms them into reality.

Conclusion

Dr. Chris Boshuizen’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and vision. From overcoming early setbacks to reshaping the satellite industry and ultimately reaching space, his journey illustrates how setbacks can become opportunities and how persistence fuels discovery. For the next generation, his path is a roadmap: combine curiosity with resilience, embrace both science and art, and never stop pursuing the impossible—because someday, it may just become your reality.