BlackSky Technology has secured the next phase of a U.S. Navy research contract to advance optical intersatellite link terminals for its Gen-3 imaging satellites.
The initial contract, awarded in September 2024, intends to give warfighters near-instant access to high-resolution imagery and intelligence during urgent missions. The effort supports the Navy’s Project Overmatch and aligns with the Defense Department’s Joint All Domain Command and Control initiative.
The OISL terminals are designed to move large volumes of satellite data, including very high-resolution imagery, directly between satellites before it reaches ground stations. The technology is expected to improve speed, reduce latency and provide a more secure path for data transmission.
“This important award directly supports BlackSky’s ability to deliver timely, high-impact intelligence that drives decisions all the way to the tactical edges of the frontline,” BlackSky CEO Brian O’Toole said. “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 contract, BlackSky will explore hardware and software modifications, operational concepts for commercial transport network nodes and new protocols for moving data efficiently. Gen-3 satellites with OISL terminals will also be compatible with the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer and commercial 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,” O’Toole said. “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.”
BlackSky plans to launch eight Gen-3 satellites by early 2026.