BlackSky Shows Gen 3 Satellites at Riyadh Exhibition

U.S. company BlackSky presented its latest third-generation reconnaissance satellite at the World Defense Show international defense exhibition in Riyadh.

Militarnyi’s correspondent reports on this from the exhibition floor.

Company representatives demonstrated the capabilities of the Spectra platform and the third-generation satellites, which are only beginning active operations.

According to the developers, Ukraine has significantly influenced approaches to using satellite data.

They said the experience of Ukrainian special forces demonstrated the operational value of artificial intelligence that processes imagery in real time.

BlackSky features

A key feature of the BlackSky platform is automated image analysis. Artificial intelligence identifies aircraft, vehicles, and ships within seconds of image capture.

“AI is embedded in BlackSky’s DNA. The algorithm provides the number and classification of equipment in near real time — in less than a minute,” company representatives shared.

This enables intelligence services to quickly detect the buildup of forces at airfields or ports.

At its exhibition stand, the company showed before-and-after imagery illustrating the impact of strikes on military facilities.

Three Gen 3 satellites with 35-centimeter resolution are currently in orbit.

Together with its existing constellation, this allows the company to image any location on Earth up to 15 times per day.

BlackSky plans to launch eight additional satellites by the end of the year to increase revisit rates.

While the company focuses on defense missions, its technology has dual-use applications, including wildfire and oil and gas infrastructure monitoring.

Militarnyi previously reported that the Swedish Armed Forces signed a multi-year contract with Finland’s ICEYE for the supply of space-based reconnaissance systems.