BlackSky is exploring new ways to bring faster data to the United States Navy through satellite technology.
What’s happening:
- BlackSky Technology (NYSE: BKSY) has won a United States Navy research contract to explore new applications for optical intersatellite link terminals to be on board of BlackSky’s Gen-3 imaging satellites
The big idea:
- Optical intersatellite links are laser based communications relays that are much more advanced than radio frequency communications and significantly improve the speed of data transmissions
- By installing intersatellite optical link terminals onto their Gen-3 imaging satellites, BlackSky will be able to provide real time imaging to the United States Navy that can provide important data about combat missions
Why it matters:
- Satellite imaging technology for defense tech and military operations has been a rising trend, with Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) notably entering into a new deal with the NATO Communications and Information Agency to leverage high resolution satellite data
Going deeper:
- BlackSky already has multiple existing partnerships with the United States government, including the Department of Defense, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and NASA
The intrigue:
- Satellite imaging startups have been finding multiple disruptive applications lately, from changing the way mining companies make new discoveries of critical mineral deposits to helping prevent wildfires in Greece
