BlackSky’s Third Gen-3 Enters Commercial Operations in Just Three Weeks Following Launch

Key Terms

ai-enabled analytics technical

AI-enabled analytics are computer tools that use artificial intelligence to sift through large amounts of data, spot patterns, make predictions and present insights in a clear way—like a smart assistant that quickly sorts and highlights the most important items in a crowded inbox. For investors this matters because it can speed decision-making, reveal risks or opportunities that humans might miss, and potentially improve forecasting, efficiency and competitive advantage.

off-nadir technical

Off-nadir describes a measure or metric that has started to move away from its lowest point (nadir) and show improvement. For investors, seeing a stock price, revenue, or clinical metric go off-nadir can signal the end of a trough and the start of recovery, like a ball rolling up the side of a valley after hitting the bottom; it helps gauge whether a downward trend has stabilized or reversed.

tactical isr technical

Tactical ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) describes systems and activities that gather real‑time information—like video, radar, or signals—near military units or operational sites to guide immediate decisions. For investors, tactical ISR signals demand for short‑range sensors, drones, communications and data processing equipment that can generate near‑term revenue and reflect defense priorities, similar to how on‑site cameras and live maps help a construction crew work safely and efficiently.

low earth orbit technical

Low Earth orbit (LEO) is the region of space close to Earth, roughly from about 160 to 2,000 kilometers above the surface, where satellites and spacecraft circle the planet quickly—think of it as a busy highway just overhead. It matters to investors because many communications, imaging and data services rely on satellites in LEO; their shorter lifespans, lower launch costs, crowded lanes and debris risks directly affect the cost, revenue potential and operational risks of companies that build, launch or use these satellites.

satellite constellation technical

A satellite constellation is a coordinated group of satellites working together in complementary orbits to provide continuous coverage or services over large areas, like a fleet of delivery trucks positioned to serve an entire city. For investors it matters because constellations enable scalable, ongoing revenue from services such as communications, navigation, or Earth observation, while also requiring large upfront capital, regulatory approvals and operational expertise that affect risk, growth potential and competitive advantage.

capacity sharing financial

Capacity sharing is when two or more businesses agree to use each other’s available production, storage, or service space so none sits idle and customers still get served. For investors it signals a way companies can lower costs, avoid big new investments, smooth out revenue swings, and reduce operational risk—think of it like neighbors borrowing each other’s garage when one needs extra parking during a busy weekend.

Exponential increase in commissioning speed rapidly expands available capacity for Gen-3 data services amidst accelerated international customer adoption

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) successfully integrated its third Gen-3 satellite into commercial operations just three weeks following launch, reflecting an exponential increase in commissioning speed since the launch of its first Gen-3 unit. This accomplishment reflects another remarkable performance milestone as the company seamlessly expands reliable capacity for very high-resolution 35-centimeter imagery and AI-enabled analytics for customers worldwide.

BlackSky’s third Gen-3 satellite entered commercial operations in just three weeks following launch, reflecting an exponential increase in commissioning speed since the launch of its first Gen-3 unit. BlackSky customers now have access to all three current Gen-3 satellites through the Spectra tasking and analytics platform with the ability to collect time-diverse, high-cadence day and nighttime imagery, including high off-nadir collections, with automated AI-enabled vessel, aircraft and vehicle detection and identification analytics. This Gen-3, unit three, very high-resolution image with aircraft and vehicle analytics was collected over Adelaide International Airport, Adelaide Australia at 2:43 p.m. on December 13.

“Integrating our latest Gen-3 satellite into the BlackSky Spectra platform in just 21 days following launch is proof positive that our first-of-its-kind end-to-end architecture is delivering incredible operational value to our customers at disruptive speed, scale and economics,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “Achieving effective market penetration and expansion with Gen-3 is the direct result of meeting customer commitments and delivering exceptional mission-relevant value through a disciplined 'land and expand' approach.”

BlackSky customers now have access to all three current Gen-3 satellites through the Spectra tasking and analytics platform with the ability to collect time-diverse, high-cadence day and nighttime imagery, including high off-nadir collections, with automated AI-enabled vessel, aircraft and vehicle detection and identification analytics.

“With every successful Gen-3 performance milestone, BlackSky demonstrates that we are unequivocally meeting global demand for flexible, secure tactical ISR capabilities at unprecedented speed. When we launched our first Gen-3, we received first light imagery in 5 days with our second and third units delivering imagery in as fast as twelve hours,” added O’Toole.

BlackSky's rapid commissioning process places tasking capacity into customers' hands quickly and increases the overall operational life of each satellite as they come online sooner. Customers no longer have to wait months to access capacity from newly launched on-orbit assets typically associated with traditional commissioning timelines.

BlackSky’s best-in-class Gen-3 capabilities continue to exceed performance specifications for low-latency, very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics where speed-to-insight is essential to mission success. With three Gen-3 satellites now on orbit, the company plans to grow the constellation at a regular cadence. Each new Gen-3 satellite expands capacity, lowers latency, adds flexibility and increases customer applications for automated real-time and predictive battlefield monitoring.

The company is leveraging its full technology stack of vertically integrated satellite manufacturing, software and AI solutions to meet global customer demand for guaranteed access to data, when and where customers need it, through novel delivery models like capacity sharing, Assured subscription access or full sovereign systems.

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.