HERNDON, Va. — May 28, 2026 : BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has secured a seven-figure, multi-year contract renewal aimed at accelerating automation of its future non-Earth imagery (NEI) services, expanding an existing programme focused on strengthening space domain awareness (SDA) capabilities.
The follow-on agreement broadens the programme’s scope to include development of a next-generation imaging payload and specialised mission-planning software to support automated space-to-space collection. The contract is intended to improve the speed, scale and reliability of real-time monitoring in an increasingly congested and contested orbital environment.
Automated Space-To-Space Collection System
Under the agreement, BlackSky will provide very high-resolution imagery combined with artificial intelligence-enabled analytics of objects in orbit. The integration is designed to support a dual-use platform capable of conducting both conventional Earth observation (EO) missions and highly dynamic space domain awareness operations.
The company stated that the programme focuses on developing a fully automated collection system capable of delivering timely intelligence to decision-makers while supporting tracking and monitoring activities in low-Earth orbit, including unidentified satellites and orbital debris fields.
BlackSky said the system will leverage satellite capacity that would otherwise remain underutilised, particularly during periods when spacecraft pass over open oceans or operate in eclipse while travelling across the dark side of Earth. During these periods, onboard sensors can be redirected to capture orbital data, increasing operational efficiency across the constellation.
Gen-2 And Gen-3 Integration
According to BlackSky, the effort builds upon the operational heritage of its high-cadence Gen-2 constellation while integrating the company’s Gen-3 architecture with a specially designed imaging payload to expand coverage and collection capacity across the space domain.
The company stated that Gen-3 satellites provide 35-centimetre resolution imagery and multispectral sensing capabilities, including shortwave infrared (SWIR), with four Gen-3 satellites currently operating in orbit to support high-frequency monitoring and rapid tasking requirements.
Brian O’Toole, Chief Executive Officer of BlackSky, said the contract reflects customer confidence in the company’s ability to rapidly design and field advanced space technologies for national security partners.
He stated that BlackSky is progressing toward a fully automated and dynamic space-to-space collection system by integrating proven Gen-3 capabilities with a specialised imaging payload to improve coverage, capacity and efficiency for non-Earth imagery services.
O’Toole added that BlackSky’s Gen-3 architecture is designed to support advanced Earth observation and space domain awareness missions, including monitoring orbital debris and tracking unidentified satellites operating in low-Earth orbit.
AI-Driven Technology Framework
BlackSky said the programme will operate within its broader AI-first, software-oriented technology framework, which combines high-cadence Gen-2 monitoring capabilities, very high-resolution Gen-3 systems and the company’s planned Advanced Remote Observation System (AROS) platforms.
The AROS satellites are intended to provide large-area multispectral collection capabilities for broad-area search, change monitoring and three-dimensional mapping, with initial launches targeted as early as 2027.
The company provides space-based imagery and AI-enabled analytics to government and commercial customers through on-demand subscription services, assured access models and full sovereign systems. According to BlackSky, the renewed contract will support ongoing efforts to improve space domain security by delivering real-time intelligence when and where it is required.
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