Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how industries operate across the globe, and the space-based intelligence sector is no exception. Many space and intelligence companies are integrating AI into their operations. At BlackSky, AI has powered us from the start.
When BlackSky was founded in 2014, we set out with a clear vision: full automation across our analytics products and workflows. AI has been essential in realizing that vision, driving how we plan missions, process data and deliver insights at record speed. It is not new to us. It is in our DNA.
What “full automation” really means
When we say, “full automation,” we mean it. From the moment we receive a new imagery and analytics order to the second that the data is delivered, our system runs entirely on its own—a process we’ve perfected over the years. There is no operator sitting in the Mission Operations Center (MOC) waiting for a problem. If something goes wrong, AI diagnoses it, attempts the fix and only then calls in a human. In practice, the MOC is truly “lights out,” and that principle extends to every stage of our business.
Where AI powers BlackSky
We handle tens of thousands of imaging requests in real time, constantly optimizing them across space and time. From there, our mission planning engine takes over, fully automating the orchestration of a fleet of imaging sensors to deliver fast, efficient results with zero manual intervention.
Once requests are optimized, satellites are tasked autonomously. AI helps prioritize demand, balance resources and adapt in real time to weather or operational changes. This ensures the right images are captured at the right moment.
Where AI truly stands out is in transforming raw data into insights — from processing and analytics extraction all the way through to customer delivery.
AI turns raw data into answers
Customers don’t just want images. They need answers to make critical decisions at a moment’s notice. Intelligence sources that use traditional approaches can take days to process and analyze raw satellite data. We know that customers cannot wait that long. BlackSky uses AI to dramatically compress that timeline, transforming raw data into actionable insights in near real time.
How do we offer such unprecedented speed? Our analytics anticipate data quality and adapt in real time, allowing instant exploitation of new imagery. AI drives every step: from processing and analytics extraction to delivery, all performed in-house. This eliminates partner-related delays and strengthens both privacy and security. The result: imagery and intelligence typically delivered within 90 minutes or less of collection, offering you deep insights to:
- Detect the speed, direction and behavior of moving objects with motion analytics
- Identify and track key assets with automated object recognition and change detection
- Confirm model classes, validate activity and track order-of-battle posture at strategic waterways and airfields
A single image can yield insights into 50,000–70,000 objects. For instance, we can track vehicle movement across cities, monitor ship traffic in ports or assess infrastructure conditions at scale. This depth of exploitation opens a world of applications for our customers. It empowers missions like those of the U.S. Space Force, which leverages BlackSky’s real-time intelligence to advance tactical surveillance and tracking operations.
And with the launch of our Gen-3 constellation, our goal is to improve that image and intelligence delivery time to 60 minutes.
Built by experts, not outsourced
We don’t just use AI: we build it. Our team of experts have deep domain knowledge. Our proprietary AI and machine learning (ML) models are trained on mission-aligned datasets that we create in-house. This training data is tailored to specific scenarios, such as Transport and Launch and capturing objects across multiple operational states. We create real-world imaging conditions: data collection efforts are designed to reflect actual conditions for maximum relevance. Finally, our model development is guided by operational context, ensuring outputs are meaningful, not just mathematically accurate.
Why customers win with AI
Ultimately, AI empowers our customers to act faster and with greater confidence. Benefits include:
- Elimination of manual analysis delays
- Rapid imagery processing, with results delivered in minutes for faster decisions
- Accurate and consistent results, removing human bias and reducing false positives
- Effortless scalability to handle massive image volumes
- Transition from simple detection to tactical, value-added insights
- Clean, machine-readable data for trend analysis and time-series evaluations
All of this leads to faster intelligence-to-action cycles and higher confidence in mission-critical planning. Bottom line: AI turns information into impact.
AI will always be in our DNA
At BlackSky, AI isn’t an add-on. It is the foundation. It is what enables us to deliver unmatched speed, scale and insight to customers around the world.
AI isn’t the future. At BlackSky, it’s been here all along.