BlackSky’s New Satellites Complete Commissioning, Enter Revenue-Generating Operations Within 18 Hours

Rhea-AI Summary

BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) announced the successful commissioning of two new satellites, which began revenue-generating operations within 18 hours of their launch on the mission dubbed “The Beat Goes On.” This launch increases BlackSky's operational capacity to 16 satellites, up from a baseline constellation of 14 established in 2022. The new satellites will replace two older satellites that surpassed their intended lifespan, reinforcing the company's commitment to providing timely, real-time geospatial intelligence. With this development, BlackSky aims to enhance its monitoring services significantly over the next two years.

Positive

• Commissioning of two new satellites enhancing operational capacity to 16.
• Revenue-generating operations initiated within 18 hours post-launch.
• Company's capacity has doubled in the last 18 months, supporting future growth.

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• None.

With enough capacity to support growth over next two years, launch reinforces company commitment to advancing uninterrupted real-time intelligence services for customers

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) successfully commissioned two new satellites that began revenue-generating commercial operations within 18 hours of “The Beat Goes On” launch mission.

BlackSky’s newest satellites delivered first light burst images of the Port of Long Beach, California, in 11 hours and 59 minutes, and completed commissioning and entered revenue generating operations 18 hours following liftoff of the recent “The Beat Goes On” launch mission. BlackSky delivers on-demand, high frequency imagery, monitoring and analytics of the most critical and strategic locations, economic assets, and events in the world. (BlackSky)

“BlackSky has more than doubled our on-orbit capacity in the last 18 months, with enough capacity to support growth over the next two years,” said Nick Merski, BlackSky chief operating officer. “Our flexible architecture gives us the ability to realize incremental benefits quickly as we add ever-advancing, multi-generational capability to our constellation.”

BlackSky’s first-of-a-kind commercial constellation provides reliable and dynamic hourly monitoring, up to 15 times a day from dawn until dusk.

“With next generation capabilities on the horizon, this launch reinforces BlackSky’s relentless commitment to advancing consistent and uninterrupted real-time intelligence and global monitoring services for our customers,” Merski added.

BlackSky achieved a baseline operational constellation of 14 low earth orbit small satellites in 2022. The satellites launched Friday temporarily bring the total number of operational spacecraft to 16. The new satellites will eventually assume the operational role of two satellites deployed in 2018 which have exceeded their three-year design lifespan by more than one year.

About BlackSky Technology Inc.

BlackSky is a leading provider of real-time geospatial intelligence. BlackSky delivers on-demand, high frequency imagery, monitoring and analytics of the most critical and strategic locations, economic assets, and events in the world.

BlackSky designs, owns and operates one of the industry’s leading low earth orbit small satellite constellations, optimized to capture imagery cost-efficiently where and when our customers need it. BlackSky’s Spectra AI software platform processes data from BlackSky’s constellation and from other third-party sensors to develop the critical insights and analytics that our customers require.

BlackSky is relied upon by U.S. and international government agencies, commercial businesses, and organizations around the world. BlackSky is headquartered in Herndon, VA, and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange as BKSY. To learn more, visit www.blacksky.com and follow us on Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to BlackSky. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document. If any of these risks materialize or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect our expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause their assessments to change. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in BlackSky’s disclosure materials filed from time to time with the SEC which are available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or on BlackSky’s Investor Relations website at https://ir.blacksky.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230328005338/en/

Investor Contact

Aly Bonilla

VP, Investor Relations

abonilla@blacksky.com

Media Contact

Pauly Cabellon

Director, External Communications

pcabellon@blacksky.com

Source: BlackSky Technology Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of BlackSky's recent satellite launch on March 28, 2023?

The launch of two new satellites increased BlackSky's operational capacity to 16 satellites and allowed for revenue-generating operations to begin within 18 hours.

How many satellites does BlackSky currently have in operation?

BlackSky has a total of 16 operational satellites after the latest launch.

What are the expected benefits of BlackSky's new satellite capabilities?

The new satellites will enhance real-time monitoring and geospatial intelligence services, supporting the company's growth and customer needs.

What happened to the older satellites that were replaced by the new ones?

The new satellites will replace two older satellites that have exceeded their three-year design lifespan by more than one year.