The company has demonstrated non-Earth imaging with its Gen-2 satellites and plans to carry the capability into Gen-3. BlackSky’s real-time architecture allows the satellites to support such missions within the same operating system used for its terrestrial intelligence services.
“We have an architecture that supports what we call non-Earth imaging,” Chief Executive Officer Brian O’Toole said during BlackSky’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call. “You’ve seen some of that come out of Gen-2. It’s extremely compelling and high performance.”
O’Toole said Gen-3 would also provide the capability. BlackSky has received funding through its advanced technology programs to automate the process, potentially allowing the system to conduct orbital observation missions with less manual intervention.
“We have some incremental programs and revenue moving through the system, and it’s still early, but we’re going to expect that to grow,” O’Toole said. He did not identify the customers, disclose the value of the programs or provide a timetable for wider deployment.
The initiative gives BlackSky an additional route into the space domain awareness market beyond its established work in terrestrial imaging. It also broadens the potential uses of Gen-3 at a time when the company is increasing satellite production and expanding its government-funded technology portfolio.
BlackSky reported a 65% sequential increase in revenue from advanced technology programs during the second quarter. The portfolio includes AI-enabled space systems for defense-related tactical intelligence, optical intersatellite links and advanced payload technologies.
Management also cited U.S. government funding for next-generation payloads using advanced segmented optics. BlackSky is using these contracts to develop technology that can later be incorporated into its commercial services and sovereign space systems.
O’Toole said the approach allows outside customers to fund part of the company’s technology development. That reduces BlackSky’s internal research costs while strengthening the capabilities offered across its satellite, software and intelligence businesses.
Gen-3 is the central platform for that strategy. The satellite delivers imagery at a resolution of 35 centimeters and operates with BlackSky’s Spectra intelligence platform, which uses AI to produce time-sensitive analysis.
BlackSky said its architecture can move data from satellites directly into customer workflows without hours of conventional ground processing. The company is working to increase processing speed and improve the quality of the intelligence generated by its algorithms.
The higher resolution of Gen-3 imagery provides a stronger foundation for AI analysis, according to O’Toole. He said it enables intelligence products that were more difficult to produce from lower-resolution satellite data.
BlackSky has more than 20 Gen-3 satellites in production for its commercial constellation, contracted sovereign programs and prospective government orders. It expected to have eight Gen-3 spacecraft in orbit by the end of 2026.
The company ultimately plans to operate a commercial constellation of about 12 to 15 satellites, providing an hourly revisit service. That expanding orbital infrastructure could also support the development of non-Earth imaging, although management has not provided a revenue target for the capability.
BlackSky reported total second-quarter revenue of $33.3 million, up 50% from a year earlier. The company said growth came from space-based intelligence subscriptions, sovereign Mission Solutions contracts and advanced technology programs.
