Ursa Space Systems (Ursa Space) customers can now access BlackSky’s high quality 1-meter resolution electro-optical (EO) imagery, thanks to a new agreement between the two companies.
Ursa Space will make the EO imagery available on its Image Services platform, offering an additional outlet for acquiring BlackSky products.
The addition of BlackSky strengthens Ursa Space’s Virtual Constellation, which comprises top performing SAR, EO and RF satellite data partners. Ursa Space offers customers robust and diverse imagery tasking services along with an extensive catalog of archive imagery, complementing its advanced analytic products and earth observation insights based on data obtained from the Virtual Constellation. The multiple daily revisits offered by BlackSky and on-demand tasking service will further enhance these offerings.
BlackSky’s constellation of imaging smallsats enables persistent monitoring of the global supply chain. In the example below, BlackSky’s satellites captured the Port of Los Angeles during the ongoing, historic level of congestion. Additionally, BlackSky’s satellites took images of ships waiting at anchorage outside the port.
BlackSky is rapidly expanding its satellite constellation for improved coverage and revisit times. With seven satellites currently in operation, BlackSky expects this number to increase to 14 by the end of 2021, to 23 by the end of 2023, and to the full constellation size of 30 by 2024, enabling a target revisit rate of taking an image anywhere on Earth every 60 minutes. This expansion of capabilities will be made available to Ursa Space customers.
Today’s Gen-2 satellites are roughly the size of a mini fridge and weigh 50 kilograms. The data collected support applications that include change detection products, pattern-of-life anomalies, situational awareness, and insights across economic, maritime, humanitarian, national security and various other market verticals.
“BlackSky is a valued partner with whom we’ve worked together on a number of projects. We’re very pleased to offer access to their high quality capabilities while continuing to build strong partnership and business together,” said Adam Maher, Founder & CEO, at Ursa Space.
“Having Ursa Space as our partner expands customer access to our imagery products as well as the insights that can be drawn from them,” said Brian O’Toole, CEO of BlackSky.
