BlackSky Technology has revealed plans to significantly expand its satellite imaging capabilities with a new constellation of multispectral, large-area collection satellites known as AROS. Scheduled for launch as early as 2027, AROS is designed to support high-speed, country-scale applications such as digital mapping, navigation, maritime monitoring, and the creation of 3D digital twins. The initiative aims to complement and enhance BlackSky’s current Gen-3 high-frequency monitoring satellites, offering broader area coverage and faster data refresh rates.
The AROS constellation is engineered to deliver proprietary, large-scale datasets optimised for AI-driven geospatial intelligence and next-generation digital twin technologies. The system will address emerging gaps in the satellite market as older large-area collection satellites approach the end of their operational life. BlackSky plans to bridge these gaps with more agile and economically efficient alternatives.
Brian O’Toole, CEO of BlackSky, said: “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. 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 company envisions AROS as a dynamic platform that combines high-resolution broad-area search with focused site monitoring, powered by its real-time, AI-enabled analytics suite, BlackSky Spectra.
Development of AROS has been underway for two years and played a pivotal role in BlackSky’s recent acquisition of satellite manufacturer LeoStella. This acquisition supports a vertically integrated production model, allowing BlackSky to accelerate the deployment of advanced space-based intelligence systems. AROS builds on the technological foundation of the Gen-2 and Gen-3 platforms, adding several advanced capabilities including low-latency data delivery via optical inter-satellite links, a proprietary data pipeline for real-time and retrospective analytics, and superior cost-efficiency for wide-area imaging.
The announcement follows the rapid deployment and commissioning of two Gen-3 satellites, demonstrating BlackSky’s ability to deliver cutting-edge satellite capabilities with remarkable speed. With AROS, BlackSky is set to extend the frontier of earth observation, integrating scalable AI tools into a next-generation system that meets the evolving needs of modern intelligence and surveillance operations.
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