BlackSky, a leading provider of satellite imagery and analytics, has announced ambitious plans to develop a novel Earth observation satellite, Aros. This cutting-edge technology is designed to capture expansive areas of the planet, addressing the need for broad geographical coverage in various sectors.
Targeted applications for Aros include large-scale mapping, encompassing entire countries, enhanced maritime monitoring, and the creation of detailed virtual replicas of physical locations – often referred to as "digital twins". BlackSky CEO Brian O’Toole, speaking to SpaceNews, confirmed the 2027 launch date for Aros. The Herndon, Virginia-based company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, leverages electro-optical imaging satellites and artificial intelligence for data analysis. Currently, BlackSky operates a fleet of satellites capable of capturing high-resolution images with a revisit rate of up to once per hour; however, Aros represents a shift towards broader coverage.
Unlike BlackSky’s existing high-resolution satellites optimized for targeted areas, Aros is designed to image entire countries or vast regions. This capability will provide comprehensive datasets suitable for constructing and maintaining detailed digital twins of infrastructure such as ports, cities, and industrial facilities. O’Toole highlights this as offering a more comprehensive imaging solution, combining rapid revisit capabilities with broader surveillance. This initiative comes at a time when wide-coverage satellites from other providers are nearing the end of their operational lives, creating a significant market opportunity. “There is a well-defined market and demand signal for this,” O’Toole stated, noting interest from U.S. defense agencies, international governments, and commercial entities. The exact number of Aros satellites planned remains undisclosed.
Aros will work in tandem with BlackSky's existing rapid-revisit constellation through a process called “tipping and queuing.” The wide-area satellite will act as a scout, detecting changes or points of interest. These findings then trigger the high-resolution satellites to focus on specific locations for detailed imaging. This coordinated approach promises valuable applications, including missile detection and tracking, as suggested by O’Toole.
The decision to develop Aros is directly linked to BlackSky’s acquisition of satellite manufacturer LeoStella in late 2024. LeoStella, a former joint venture with Thales Alenia Space, is the manufacturer of BlackSky’s entire satellite line. “Aros was one of the key factors in BlackSky’s acquisition of LeoStella,” O’Toole confirmed. The company's immediate focus, however, remains on deploying its Gen-3 satellite constellation, with two already in orbit and a target of eight operational satellites by the first quarter of 2026.