BlackSky Technology

BlackSky Technology Inc. is a real-time space-based intelligence company that provides on-demand, high-frequency imagery, analytics, and monitoring services for critical locations, economic assets, and events globally. The company operates advanced commercial real-time intelligence systems, combining its proprietary low earth orbit satellite constellation with the BlackSky Spectra tasking and analytics software platform.

As of 2024, BlackSky's core offering was its Assured access program, which it guarantees customers high-priority capacity for high-frequency, dawn-to-dusk imagery and AI-driven analytics over areas of interest. The company's software-first approach enables the rapid delivery of mission-critical intelligence to operators and analysts within minutes. BlackSky's technology allows automated real-time, high-frequency, low-latency imagery and analytics services, providing value to multiple international ministries of defense and commercial customers across industries. The company's Spectra AI software platform processes data from its constellation and third-party sensors to develop critical insights and analytics. 

In September 2024, BlackSky announced its plans to expand its presence in the defense sector by making its satellites compatible with military networks and equipping its Gen-3 satellites with laser terminals. As of September 2024, the Gen-3 satellites were in production and set to launch in late 2024 on the Electron rocket. In November 2024, BlackSky acquired a remaining 50% stake in LeoStella, from its joint venture partner, Thales Alenia Space, for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition was intended to optimize the Gen-3 supply chain and production operations.

Key customers and partnerships

BlackSky Technology has secured international government contracts to provide its satellite monitoring and analytics services, including a ~USD 1 million contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense in January 2024 and a USD 7 million contract with an undisclosed existing international government customer in May 2024.

The company partnered with (1) Esri in July 2022 and (2) Spire Global in May 2023 to develop two integration platforms, ArcGIS Online for Esri and Maritime Custody Service (MCS) for Spire Global, providing its real-time satellite imagery and monitoring, geospatial intelligence, and analytics services. BlackSky also partnered with Rocket Lab in August 2023 for a five-launch agreement to launch its satellites into BlackSky’s constellation in 2024.

In September 2024, the company received a USD 476 million contract from NASA to provide satellite imaging data for NASA’s Earth observation research. In September 2024, it also received a contract from HEO to provide mid-inclination orbit and high-resolution imagery for non-Earth imaging (NEI) services to improve space situational awareness.

In October 2024, BlackSky received a five-year contract from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) for the provision of global monitoring services and AI solutions for data analysis. Further, in October 2024, BlackSky secured a second seven-figure contract from an undisclosed customer for the provision of non-Earth imaging services.