BlackSky prepares its first Gen-3 satellite for launch in Tukwila, Wash. Photo: Business Wire

BlackSky Technology won the next phase of a competitive U.S. Navy research contract to continue developing optical inter-satellite link (OISL) terminal applications for its Gen-3 constellation.

Future satellites in BlackSky’s Gen-3 constellation will be equipped with optical inter-satellite link terminals that are compatible with both the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer and commercial transport networks. The terminals will allow for faster data downlink and data travel between satellites. BlackSky started launching its Gen-3 satellites earlier this year. 

CEO Brian O’Toole commented that future enhanced Gen-3 satellites are expected to deliver data to end users 10 times faster than current systems, with five times the data volume of existing capabilities. 

BlackSky previously received a Navy research contract for OISL development last year. Under the development agreement announced Tuesday, BlackSky will explore hardware and software design adaptations, novel operating concepts for commercial transport network nodes and establish new protocols for data movement. 

“This important award directly supports BlackSky’s ability to deliver timely, high-impact intelligence that drive decisions all the way to the tactical edges of the frontline,” O’Toole said in a release. “High-speed inter-satellite communication links are a critical innovation that makes BlackSky’s commercial remote sensing services a robust and viable option for fleet-wide tactical ISR operations.”