BlackSky Awarded NRO Contract Modification to Accelerate Development of AROS as Critical Commercial Alternative for Foundation Imaging

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multi-spectral technical

Multi-spectral describes tools or sensors that collect information across several different bands of light or electromagnetic wavelengths, not just the colors we see with our eyes. For investors, multi-spectral capability signals richer, more precise data—like a camera that sees temperature and material qualities as well as color—which can create competitive advantages, expand product uses, improve decision-making, and affect regulatory scrutiny or market demand for technologies and services that rely on advanced sensing.

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A 3D digital twin is a detailed virtual replica of a physical asset, system, or space that mirrors its shape, condition and real‑time data. For investors, it’s a tool companies use to run simulations, spot likely failures, test design changes and improve efficiency—like a high‑fidelity simulator for a factory or building—so future costs, risks and operational performance become easier to estimate.

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Effort funds rapid development of multi-spectral, large-area mapping spacecraft and foundation data collection system in 2028

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) was awarded a contract modification to its existing National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) contract to accelerate the development of the company’s AROS broad area collection satellites as a critical commercial alternative to current suppliers for foundation imagery. The effort funds a direct path toward a flight ready multi-spectral, large-area mapping spacecraft and foundation data collection system in 2028.

BlackSky's AROS satellites will be designed to support dynamic country-scale digital mapping, navigation, maritime situational awareness and 3D digital twin applications. The AROS system will operate as an integrated extension of the company’s existing fleet, incorporating BlackSky’s space, software and platform stack and unlocking an entirely new class of scalable, AI capabilities.

“Developing BlackSky’s AROS constellation in partnership with the U.S. government cements a major step in securing U.S. global space competitiveness, resilience and maintaining critical operational continuity as commercially available foundation data becomes capacity-constrained in the coming years,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “BlackSky will design, develop and field the next generation of high-performance, AI-ready geospatial foundation data satellites, leveraging the proven heritage and reliability of our advanced Gen-3 architecture and vertically integrated agile manufacturing infrastructure.”

These new satellites will be designed to support dynamic country-scale digital mapping, navigation, maritime situational awareness and 3D digital twin applications. The AROS system will operate as an integrated extension of the company’s existing fleet, incorporating BlackSky’s space, software and platform stack and unlocking an entirely new class of scalable, AI capabilities.

“AROS will provide an optimal balance between leap-ahead technology capabilities at very competitive speed and economics and fill anticipated market gaps as aging commercial large area collection satellites come out of service,” added O’Toole.

Once on orbit, integrating AROS and Gen-3 establishes a complementary tip-and-cue workflow where large-area surveillance can identify activity that drives dynamic point monitoring at national and regional scale. As the satellites work in tandem, AI-enabled analytics that detect and characterize aircraft, vessels and vehicles provide decision makers with real-time strategic and tactical insights over broad geographic areas.

The system architecture will also showcase a new proprietary data pipeline designed to feed real-time and retrospective AI analytics, model training and decision support tools and will be ready for deployment and integration into customer workflows within a relatively short timeframe. The modern AROS foundation enterprise is expected to support automated feature extraction, the generation of Earth digital twin systems and expedite the automated production of navigation safety applications.

About BlackSky

BlackSky is a real-time, space-based intelligence company that delivers on-demand, high frequency imagery, analytics, and high-frequency monitoring of the most critical and strategic locations, economic assets and events in the world. BlackSky owns and operates one of the industry’s most advanced, purpose-built commercial, real-time intelligence systems that combines the power of the BlackSky Spectra® tasking and analytics software platform and our proprietary low Earth orbit satellite constellation.

With BlackSky, customers can see, understand and anticipate changes for a decisive strategic advantage at the tactical edge, and act not just fast, but first. BlackSky is trusted by some of the most demanding U.S. and international government agencies, commercial businesses, and organizations around the world. BlackSky is headquartered in Herndon, VA, and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange as BKSY. To learn more, visit www.blacksky.com and follow us on X.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to BlackSky. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document. If any of these risks materialize or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect our expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause their assessments to change. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in BlackSky’s disclosure materials filed from time to time with the SEC which are available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or on BlackSky’s Investor Relations website at https://ir.blacksky.com.

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Investor Contact
Aly Bonilla
VP, Investor Relations
abonilla@blacksky.com

Media Contact
Pauly Cabellon
Sr. Director, External Communications
bksypr@blacksky.com

Source: BlackSky Technology Inc.