BlackSky Wins Next Phase of U.S. Navy Optical Inter-Satellite Link Research Contract to Advance Gen-3 Communications for Time-Dominant Military Operations

Yahoo

4 days ago

Contract furthers the design, development and evaluation of compatibility with Space Development Agency transport layer in support of tactical ISR missions
HERNDON, Va., July 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) won the next phase of a competitive U.S. Navy research contract to further develop optical inter-satellite link (OISL) terminal applications for its Gen-3 constellation. The OISL terminals are expected to increase the speed at which very high-resolution imagery and other high-volume space-based data travel directly between satellites before downlinking to ground stations.
"This important award directly supports BlackSky's ability to deliver timely, high-impact intelligence that drive decisions all the way to the tactical edges of the frontline," said Brian O'Toole, BlackSky CEO. "High-speed inter-satellite communication links are a critical innovation that makes BlackSky's commercial remote sensing services a robust and viable option for fleet-wide tactical ISR operations."
Under the development agreement, BlackSky will explore hardware and software design adaptations, novel operating concepts for commercial transport network nodes and establish new protocols for data movement. Future Gen-3 satellites will be equipped with optical inter-satellite link terminals compatible with both the Space Development Agency's Transport Layer and commercial transport networks.
"Extending our Gen-3 capabilities with optical intersatellite link terminals will give customers reliable access to real-time earth imaging capabilities across the full range of warfighting scenarios. Enhanced Gen-3 satellites are expected to deliver data to end users 10 times faster than current systems, with data volumes five times greater than existing capabilities," said O'Toole.
Laser-based OISLs create high-bandwidth, direct communication lines between satellites, reducing the time it takes to transmit and process data. In addition to reduced latency and decision making, OISLs can provide a more secure and resilient data transmission path, making them less susceptible to interference and jamming.
About BlackSkyBlackSky 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 StatementsCertain 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.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250729385279/en/
Contacts
Investor Contact Aly BonillaVP, Investor [e-mail]
Media Contact Pauly CabellonSr. Director, External [e-mail]