Earth imaging company BlackSky has announced the successful deployment of its third Gen-3 imaging satellite, which returned high-resolution imagery of the Port of Jebel Ali in Dubai within 24 hours of launch. This marks an expansion of BlackSky’s 20-strong fleet of Earth-imaging satellites, with plans to add a further nine Gen-3 models in the coming year.
“BlackSky’s third Gen-3 unit has delivered incredible initial image quality at unprecedented speed—less than one day from launch,” BlackSky CEO Brian O’Toole said in a statement (via SpaceNews).
BlackSky launched this third-generation imaging satellite aboard a Rocket Lab Electron, but did so secretly. The mission, known as “Follow My Speed,” was announced by Rocket Lab with a single anonymous payload. When that payload reached orbit and received a designation in tracking databases of “Global-33,” though, people started to catch on. That’s the standard naming convention for BlackSky satellites.
High-resolution image captured over the Port of Jebel Ali in Dubai.
Credit: BlackSky
It’s not clear why BlackSky was so secretive about its launch, but given the military applications of its satellites and companion software technologies, it’s possible this was to deter sabotage by hostile actors who would rather these space-based capabilities not be available to their adversaries. Indeed, BlackSky’s own marketing for the satellite points out its use for “automated real-time and predictive battlefield monitoring.”
BlackSky plans to expand its fleet by another nine Gen-3 satellites by the end of 2026, with each satellite expected to have a lifespan of about four years. Each one can deliver 35-centimeter-grade images, enabling incredible detail for a private satellite. In these first images shared of the new satellite’s capabilities, you can clearly see the different shipping containers, vehicles, and maritime vessels at the port.
“As BlackSky continues to expand our Gen-3 constellation, this successful mission signifies the value of strategic investments in advancing commercial space-based intelligence capabilities,” said O’Toole. “Our purpose-built software and hardware architecture is uniquely suited to provide secure and flexible commercial services that complement national assets with mission-relevant tactical ISR capability at disruptive speed, scale and economics.”