Booz Allen Celebrates Albedo’s Historic Clarity-1 Launch

Rhea-AI Summary

Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) announced the successful launch of Clarity-1, the first commercial satellite operating in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), by their portfolio company Albedo. This milestone comes after Booz Allen Ventures' strategic investment in Albedo last year.

Clarity-1 introduces groundbreaking capabilities with 10 cm visible and 2-meter thermal imagery from VLEO, achieving resolutions previously only possible with aircraft and drones. This advancement enhances Earth observation and national security applications.

Albedo has secured a Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), positioning its technology within the U.S. government's space strategy. The company aims to provide ultra-high-resolution data at reduced costs and timelines compared to traditional satellites.

This launch is part of Booz Allen's broader venture capital strategy, which has invested in 13 startups focusing on AI, cyber, and space innovation for national security.

The first Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite marks significant milestone in commercial space innovation

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) today announced that Booz Allen Ventures portfolio company Albedo has successfully launched Clarity-1, the first commercial satellite to operate in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), marking a significant milestone in commercial space innovation. This achievement comes just over a year after Booz Allen Ventures’ strategic investment in Albedo, demonstrating the rapid acceleration of developing commercial technology to meet critical government needs.

With Clarity-1 now on orbit, Albedo has introduced a breakthrough capability—10 cm visible and 2-meter thermal imagery from VLEO—delivering resolutions previously limited to aircraft and drones. This will further enhance capabilities for Earth observation and national security use cases across government and industry.

“Albedo’s rapid trajectory from investment to launch demonstrates the speed to outcomes that is critical for national security. We are excited to actively bring these capabilities to the U.S. government,” said Brian MacCarthy, managing director of Booz Allen Ventures. “This milestone showcases Booz Allen’s ability to anticipate, build, and invest in advanced technology that truly transforms missions.”

By leveraging VLEO’s unique advantages, Albedo is positioned to contribute to Space Domain Awareness and provide an alternate vantage point to traditional Earth observation methods. With its Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Albedo’s technology is already playing an important role in the U.S. government’s space strategy.

“The launch of Clarity-1 is a pivotal moment for the space industry,” said Chris Bogdan, executive vice president at Booz Allen and leader of the firm’s Space business. “The ability to collect ultra-high-resolution data at a fraction of the cost and timeline of traditional satellites is a transformational shift in space technology. This launch not only showcases Albedo’s ingenuity but also highlights the power of dual-use commercial technology to meet mission-critical needs.”

“Ultra-high-resolution data will be essential for delivering the necessary intelligence and analytics to inform our nation’s decision-making,” said Winston Tri, co-founder and CPO at Albedo. “As Albedo accelerates its vision to provide unparalleled geospatial insights, we look forward to an ongoing partnership with Booz Allen.”

Booz Allen’s investment in Albedo is part of its broader venture capital strategy, which focuses on identifying, investing, and scaling emerging technologies that can rapidly drive mission outcomes for government clients. Through its corporate venture capital arm, Booz Allen has invested in 13 very promising startups to accelerate AI, cyber, and space innovation in support of national security.

As the leading provider of AI and cybersecurity to the federal government, Booz Allen is uniquely positioned to integrate emerging capabilities into the broader national security ecosystem. Booz Allen is committed to advancing the future of space technology by bridging the gap between commercial innovation and government missions.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen is the advanced technology company delivering outcomes with speed for America’s most critical defense, civil, and national security priorities. We build technology solutions using AI, cyber, and other cutting- edge technologies to advance and protect the nation and its citizens. By focusing on outcomes, we enable our people, clients, and their missions to succeed—accelerating the nation to realize our purpose: Empower People to Change the World®.

With global headquarters in McLean, Virginia, our firm employs approximately 35,900 people globally as of December 31, 2024, and had revenue of $10.7 billion for the 12 months ended March 31, 2024. To learn more, visit www.boozallen.com. (NYSE: BAH)

Forward-Looking Statements

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These forward-looking statements relate to future events or future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by these forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed in Booz Allen’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Booz Allen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and other filings and reports that may be filed from time to time with the SEC, which can be found at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements attributable to Booz Allen or persons acting on Booz Allen’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319744886/en/

Media Relations: Amanda Allison, Allison_Amanda@bah.com

Investor Relations: Investor_Relations@bah.com

Source: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

FAQ

What breakthrough capabilities does Albedo's Clarity-1 VLEO satellite offer?

Clarity-1 offers unprecedented 10 cm visible and 2-meter thermal imagery resolution from Very Low Earth Orbit, capabilities previously only achievable with aircraft and drones.

How does the Clarity-1 launch impact Booz Allen's (BAH) space strategy?

The launch strengthens BAH's position in space technology and demonstrates their ability to identify and invest in advanced technologies that transform government missions.

What is the significance of Albedo's STRATFI contract with Air Force Research Laboratory?

The STRATFI contract validates Albedo's technology and integrates it into the U.S. government's space strategy, supporting critical national security missions.

How many startups has Booz Allen Ventures invested in for space innovation?

Booz Allen has invested in 13 startups focusing on AI, cyber, and space innovation to support national security initiatives.

What advantages does Clarity-1's VLEO technology offer over traditional satellites?

Clarity-1 provides ultra-high-resolution data at reduced costs and shorter timelines compared to traditional satellites, while offering enhanced Earth observation capabilities.