BlackSky’s new Gen-3 imagery of the Port of Jebel Ali in Dubai. Photo: BlackSky

BlackSky Technology released images on Tuesday from a recently launched Gen-3 satellite, reporting that it delivered images from the satellite less than 24 hours after launch. The image (above) collected by the Gen-3 satellite shows the Port of Jebel Ali in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Thousands of vehicles can be seen at the port. The image was collected on Nov. 22. 

BlackSky didn’t announce the satellite’s launch but confirmed to Via Satellite on Tuesday that it was the undisclosed customer on Rocket Lab’s Electron mission last week. 

BlackSky noted that the satellite has demonstrated fully automated tasking to delivery capability. The company expects image quality to improve through final collaborations and as the satellite reaches its final operational altitude. 

CEO Brian O’Toole called the speed of delivery “unprecedented.” “Customers no longer have to wait months typically associated with traditional commissioning timelines. BlackSky’s rapid commissioning process places tasking capacity into customers’ hands quickly and increases the overall operational life of each satellite as they come online sooner,” O’Toole said. 

BlackSky began launching its upgraded Gen-3 satellites earlier this year, showing the first Gen-3 imagery in March five days after launch. The Gen-3 satellites are designed to deliver 35-centimeter imagery with sub-hourly image collection speeds.

BlackSky COO Nick Merski talked with Via Satellite earlier this year about the Gen-3 rollout, explaining that these satellites offer a greater level of depth compared to Gen-2. 

“You can look at more nuanced activity around the presence of an object. For instance, you can tell the difference between a box truck and a tractor-trailer or distinguish between pickup trucks, jeeps and passenger vehicles, and then see patterns over time to help you understand why those vehicles are where they are. It’s a powerful step forward,” Merski said.