BlackSky to expand constellation for high-cadence, multispectral, broad-area data collection

The AROS system will enhance the high-frequency site monitoring of BlackSky’s Gen-3 satellites, providing dynamic broad-area search, change detection, and reliable large-area and 3D dataset updates. Launch of the first AROS satellites is targeted as early as 2027, with development already underway in collaboration with partners.

“As legacy satellites approach end-of-life, we see a critical opportunity to address market needs—not just in performance and agility—but also in affordability and AI-readiness,” said Brian O’Toole, CEO of BlackSky. “As confirmed through active customer and partner engagement, BlackSky is meeting the modern demands of governments and commercial users who need persistent visibility over very large areas, fast.”

The AROS constellation is engineered to generate proprietary country- and region-scale datasets optimised for AI-driven geospatial and digital twin applications. It will address expected capacity shortfalls as older satellites retire and are replaced by systems with lower collection capabilities.

Key features of AROS include very high-resolution multispectral sensors for mapping and change detection, low-latency optical inter-satellite links for high-bandwidth data delivery, and a new proprietary data pipeline for real-time and retrospective analytics and AI decision support. These capabilities are designed to maintain high image quality and revisit rates while improving cost efficiency for wide-area imaging.

The AROS system has been under development for two years and played a central role in BlackSky’s recent acquisition of LeoStella. The company’s vertically integrated manufacturing and production approach supports rapid development and deployment of advanced space-based intelligence solutions.

Building on the proven Gen-2 and Gen-3 platforms, the AROS satellites will operate as a fully integrated extension of BlackSky’s existing fleet. The system will be powered by BlackSky Spectra®, the company’s AI-enabled tasking and analytics platform, enabling combined broad-area search and site monitoring capabilities.

This announcement follows two successful back-to-back Gen-3 launches in which BlackSky achieved “first light” in under 24 hours and commissioning in under 60 days. These milestones underscore the maturity of BlackSky’s space systems and their readiness to support the next generation of scalable, AI-powered satellite services.