BlackSky Technology Inc. has shipped its first Gen-3 satellite to launch provider Rocket Lab. The satellite is scheduled to be launched in February from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand.
The Gen-3 satellites are designed to enhance BlackSky’s space-based intelligence services by providing very high-resolution imagery with a ground resolution of 35 centimetres, coupled with rapid revisit capabilities. These satellites will deliver data and AI-driven analytics with greater speed and scale.
“Gen-3 represents a transformative leap forward for space-based intelligence, combining very high- resolution imagery with high frequency monitoring,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “When combined with BlackSky Spectra, the Gen-3 constellation is designed to deliver data at sub-hourly, mission-relevant speeds. We look forward to the inaugural launch and introducing the advanced features of our Gen-3 satellites to our customers.”
“BlackSky has developed Gen-3 to address significant demand from key defense and intelligence customers around the world as evidenced by the significant contracted backlog we have secured for Gen-3 services,” said O’Toole. “Once we commission this first satellite, we expect to move forward with a regular cadence of additional launches throughout the year as more Gen-3 satellites come off the production line.”
The Gen-3 satellites will improve the capacity and flexibility of the company’s satellite constellation. Features include automated detection, identification, and classification of vehicles, aircraft, vessels, and other tactical objects. Low-latency intersatellite communications will enable high-priority, last-minute tasking, while onboard systems are designed for operational efficiency in orbit. These advancements aim to support tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as strategic intelligence operations.
BlackSky specialises in real-time space-based intelligence, offering high-frequency imagery and analytics for critical global locations, assets, and events. The company operates a commercial intelligence system that integrates its BlackSky Spectra tasking and analytics platform with a proprietary low Earth orbit satellite constellation.
Indonesian private defence firm PT Sentra Surya Ekajaya (PT SSE) has introduced a new version of its P2 Tiger 4×4…
Schiebel has been awarded a new multi-year contract by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide services using the…
SITA and Cathay Pacific have entered a new agreement aimed at significantly boosting network bandwidth at Cathay Pacific’s airports. The…
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $270 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to integrate next-generation infrared defensive sensors…
Malaysia Airlines, in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), has launched a Private Terminal Transfer Service aimed at providing seamless and…
Fly Jaya, a new entrant in Indonesia’s aviation industry operated by PT Surya Mataram Nusantara, is set to launch domestic…
The first Austrian Airlines Boeing 777-200ER equipped with AeroSHARK surface technology has successfully completed its maiden flight. The long-haul aircraft…
Vietnam and South Korea are reportedly finalising an agreement for the acquisition of 20 K-9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers (SPH) for…
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is anticipating the final delivery of three AT-6TH Wolverine light attack aircraft by April…
Ukraine's largest airline, SkyUp Airlines, has successfully transitioned to IBS Software's iFly Res Passenger Services System (PSS) to support the…
Experia Events has announced the confirmed exhibitors for the inaugural Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo (BAAFEx), which will take…
Aonic, a Malaysian drone service provider and manufacturer, has been awarded the Unmanned Aerial Work Certificate (UAWC) by the Civil…
Eve Air Mobility (Eve) has partnered with JetSetGo, a private aircraft charter and fractional ownership company based in New Delhi,…
L3Harris Technologies has received a contract from BAE Systems Maritime Australia for the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) on the…
In a response to numerous instances of Global Positioning System (GPS) denial in the war that broke out on Oct.…
Airbus Defence and Space, in collaboration with HENSOLDT, is upgrading the German Airborne Weapon Systems Electronic Warfare Centre with the…
Qantas Airways Limited has officially become a member of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), as announced by the…
Indra Group’s Board of Directors has appointed Ángel Escribano Ruiz as its new Executive Chairman. This decision was made during…
The first Airbus A400M aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has entered the Final Assembly Line in Seville, Spain.…
Italian airline ITA Airways is now a member of the Lufthansa Group and will be the Group's fifth network airline.…
Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs) are predicted to increase by 25.6% between 2025 and 2030,according to data recently revealed by IBA,…
Indonesian state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, operating under the brand InJourney Airports, reported a notable rise in passenger…
The Department of National Defense (DND) of the Philippines has confirmed plans to acquire 12 additional FA-50 Block 20 Fighting…
Airbus Helicopters has delivered two H225M helicopters to the French Armament General Directorate (DGA), marking the first of eight helicopters…
Curtiss-Wright has unveiled the PacStar 452 server, designed to enhance data storage capabilities in tactical edge applications. This new server…
CAE has inaugurated its first Air Traffic Services (ATS) Training Centre, on its campus in Montreal, Canada. As the largest…
Muirhead, a Scotland-based supplier of aviation leather, has announced its expansion into the global seat cover sector, aiming to simplify…
Lockheed Martin has delivered 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) in 2024. This…
Scoot, the budget carrier of Singapore Airlines, has unveiled the launch of direct flight services to Vienna in Austria and…
The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) has signed its first contract under the $8.7 billion U.S. aid package approved by…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.