BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) recently won a competitive U.S. Navy research contract to explore applications for advanced optical intersatellite link terminals on board the company’s Gen-3 imaging satellites, giving warfighters real-time access to imagery during time-sensitive military operations worldwide — this effort directly supports the U.S.Navy’s Project Overmatch and the Department of Defense’s Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiatives.
Optical intersatellite links are laser-based communications relays that enable faster and more reliable rates of data transmission compared to radio frequency communications. As part of this study, BlackSky will modify its systems to accommodate an optical intersatellite link terminal that will be uniquely compatible with both the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Transport Layer and commercial transport layers. BlackSky will also establish novel operating concepts that will inform the acquisition of commercial transport network nodes, how data is moved, and how to seamlessly maintain the core Earth-imaging mission.
“BlackSky is making space a viable option for the tactical ISR mission. Extending our Gen-3 satellite capabilities with optical intersatellite link terminals will give Navy customers assured access to real-time earth imaging capabilities across the full range of warfighting scenarios both while underway and ashore,” said Brian E. O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “End users will receive BlackSky data and insights 10-times faster, with data volumes 5-times greater than current systems.”