BlackSky
BlackSky, Maxar, Planet win 10-year NRO contracts for satellite imagery
The National Reconnaissance Office announced May 25 it awarded BlackSky, Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs 10-year contracts to provide satellite imagery for U.S. intelligence, defense and federal civil agencies.
A boom in Earth observation satellites creating new demands for intelligence
Crises such as the covid pandemic, climate change and the war in Ukraine are fueling demand for geospatial information
BlackSky looks to expand its military business amid growing interest in commercial satellite imagery
Amid a surge in demand for satellite imagery, BlackSky is looking to expand its national security and defense business.
Rocket Lab launches BlackSky satellites as it prepares for mid-air booster recovery
A Rocket Lab Electron launched another pair of imaging satellites for BlackSky April 2 as the company gears up to attempt recovery of the rocket’s first stage.
NASA to continue buying Earth-observation datasets
NASA intends to continue buying data gathered by commercial Earth-observation satellites.
BlackSky to begin transition to higher-resolution imaging satellites in 2023
With 12 satellites currently in orbit, BlackSky plans to add two or four more next year before it transitions to a higher-resolution spacecraft in 2023.
Rocket Lab launches two BlackSky satellites, wins Synspective contract
Rocket Lab launched another pair of BlackSky satellites Dec. 8, a day after the company won a contract from a Japanese firm for three launches of radar imaging satellites.
SpaceX breaks annual launch record as it deploys 48 more Starlink satellites
SpaceX deployed 48 more satellites for its Starlink broadband constellation Dec. 2, along with two remote sensing spacecraft for BlackSky in a mission that breaks the record for Falcon 9 launches in a calendar year.
Rocket Lab launches BlackSky satellites
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket placed two BlackSky imaging satellites into orbit Nov. 17 on the rocket’s first launch in three and a half months.
U.S. government contracts lift BlackSky’s financial performance
U.S. government contracts are boosting the financial performance of Earth observation company BlackSky, executives said Nov. 12 during the company’s first earnings call since going public.
NRO establishes licenses and cybersecurity rules for commercial imagery providers
The National Reconnaissance Office roadmap for bringing commercial satellite imagery into its hybrid space architecture emphasizes cybersecurity and licenses that enable the agency to share data with partners inside and outside the U.S. government.
Industry has more work ahead to make data analytics less dependent on human supervision
There is still much work ahead for the AI industry to automate data analytics.
NGA to increase use of commercial analytic services
David Gauthier said NGA has to transition away from government analysts exploiting raw imagery to commercial analytic services that can quickly provide answers
Now officially a public company, BlackSky moving to expand sales and marketing
Satellite imagery and geospatial data provider BlackSky began trading on the NYSE Sept. 10, a day after closing a merger with a special purpose acquisition company.
Geospatial intelligence companies struggle to educate customers about their capabilities
The good news for the Earth observation industry is that their capabilities to collect and analyze imagery are better than ever. The bad news for the industry is that many prospective customers don’t understand those capabilities.
Geospatial intelligence giving supply chain clarity in uncertain times
From hiking the price of cars to impacting the readiness of militaries, the havoc that COVID-19 wreaks across supply chains is far-ranging and sometimes surprising.
Rocket Lab to launch three sets of BlackSky satellites
Rocket Lab will conduct three launches of satellites for Earth observation company BlackSky in about one month, the fastest launch cadence the company had demonstrated to date.
Rocket Lab says engine issue caused Electron failure
Rocket Lab said an Electron rocket failed to reach orbit May 15 when the vehicle’s computer system detected a problem with the second stage engine and shut it down.
SPAC rule changes add complexity and delays for space companies eying public markets
New accounting rules have thrown a wrench into a SPAC machine that has been catapulting space companies to the public markets.
BlackSky strikes deal with Rocket Lab to launch eight more satellites in 2021
BlackSky announced March 25 it signed an agreement with Rocket Lab to launch eight satellites before the end of 2021.
