BlackSky Technology has unveiled its ambitious plans to expand its satellite constellation, introducing a fleet of new multispectral satellites aimed at extensive data collection across large areas. With a target launch date set for 2027, the company is collaborating with development partners to ensure the successful deployment of these state-of-the-art satellites.
The new satellites, known as AROS, are being engineered to enhance capabilities in national-level digital mapping, surveillance, and the creation of 3D digital twins. In addition to these applications, AROS will support advanced maritime operations and bolster defense systems akin to the Golden Dome initiative. This move comes in response to the declining efficacy of older satellite systems, with BlackSky looking to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools to fill existing gaps.
Brian O’Toole, CEO of BlackSky, emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating, “As legacy satellites approach end-of-life, we see a critical opportunity to address market needs—not just in performance and agility—but also in affordability and AI-readiness.”
The development of AROS has been in progress for two years, building upon the foundations laid by the company’s second and third-generation satellite architectures. Notably, AROS will feature optical inter-satellite links, enabling satellites to exchange data while in orbit before transmitting it to ground stations. This system will include a proprietary data pipeline designed to facilitate real-time and historical analysis, effectively “feeding” machine learning models and AI-driven analytics for decision-making.
One of the standout capabilities of AROS will be its provision of high-volume imaging that maintains quality, thus allowing for thorough and repeated monitoring of critical areas.
Recent milestones have underscored BlackSky’s commitment to increasing the speed and automation of its space-based operations. Earlier this month, the company successfully captured its first very high-resolution image from its second Gen-3 satellite just 12 hours post-launch. This image, taken over Golmud Air Base in China, was notable for its 35-centimeter resolution, which revealed significant details including aircraft, vehicle movements, and facility operations.
In another advancement, BlackSky deployed its inaugural AI-enabled analytics platform in March, utilizing imagery from its Gen-3 satellite. This system adeptly scanned vast amounts of data, significantly reducing the manual workload and expediting the identification of pertinent intelligence.
As BlackSky Technology pursues its goal of enhancing satellite capabilities, the ambitions of AROS promise to reshape how data is collected and analyzed in the ever-evolving landscape of satellite technology.
