BlackSky Wins U.S. Navy Contract to Add High-Speed Optical Links to Gen-3 Satellites

BlackSky Technology has landed a new phase of a U.S. Navy research contract aimed at enhancing its next-generation satellites with high-speed optical inter-satellite links (OISLs). These laser-based communication systems will allow satellites to talk directly to each other in space, speeding up the transfer of large amounts of imagery and data before it even reaches the ground.

This development is part of the ongoing evolution of BlackSky’s Gen-3 satellite constellation, which is designed to deliver real-time, high-resolution earth imagery for military and intelligence operations. With the new contract, the company will focus on building advanced hardware and software that allow these satellites to connect through high-speed data links, significantly improving the speed and volume of data movement.

Brian O’Toole, CEO of BlackSky, called the award a key step in delivering fast, high-impact intelligence that can support decision-making on the frontlines of military operations. He emphasized that OISLs are a critical innovation, especially for tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions across naval fleets.

One of the major goals of the program is to ensure the OISL-equipped satellites can integrate smoothly with both the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer and commercial communications networks. This would give military users more flexible, secure, and faster access to satellite-based imagery.

According to O’Toole, the upgraded Gen-3 satellites are expected to deliver data 10 times faster and handle five times more volume than current systems. The OISL technology will not only improve speed but also boost data security, helping to protect against jamming and interference—a growing concern during modern military operations.

By cutting down the time it takes to transmit and process information, these laser communications offer a major leap in capability for defense and intelligence agencies. This step forward underscores BlackSky’s role in advancing next-generation space-based intelligence systems that can perform under the demanding conditions of today’s global conflicts.