BlackSky Technology was named the exclusive provider of very high resolution electro-optical satellites for the world’s first AI-enabled satellite constellation. The announcement was made at the International Space Summit in Paris, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Marlan Space and Loft Orbital.
The initial constellation of 50 satellites will carry radar, optical and other sensors and is designed to serve users across France, Europe and the UAE. BlackSky Gen-3 satellites will provide very high-resolution imaging capability as part of an AI-enabled intelligence platform that delivers actionable insights and alerts in seconds.
“This consortium of international industry leaders brings together best-in-class AI and space technologies to accelerate the development of new applications for AI in space,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky Chief Executive Officer. “The program reinforces our commitment to forging long-term global partnerships that advance sovereign space capabilities, a key part of our Mission Solutions business strategy.”
Airbus starts the development of IRIS² satellites on behalf of Eutelsat
Airbus Defence and Space has signed the initial contract for the design and build of the first layer of satellites for Europe’s sovereign IRIS² constellation. Eutelsat, responsible in the SpaceRISE consortium for the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) segment of the constellation, has thus enabled Airbus and Thales Alenia Space to start working on the first layer of satellites.
IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is the EU’s new flagship space programme for a digital, resilient and safer Europe. With a multi-orbit satellite constellation, it will deliver resilient and secure connectivity solutions to governments to protect European citizens and will provide commercial services in the interest of European economies and societies. It will also bolster the EU partnership policy by offering its infrastructure abroad.
In the frame of the industrial set up delivering IRIS², Airbus and Thales Alenia Space are responsible for the first layer of the LEO segment, composed of at least 66 satellites, to be delivered in 2029. Airbus leverages past years investments on LEO constellations and will scale up its industrial capacity to meet planning and performance expectations for this first layer of the LEO segment. This layer is the sovereign pillar of the IRIS² project delivering military Ka-bands to future European users.
Airbus will produce the platforms and integrate the satellites with the payload from Thales Alenia Space, benefitting from its serial production facility in Toulouse, transferred back to Europe and already building the new batch of OneWeb satellites for Eutelsat.
“It is a privilege to contribute to this strategic programme, which will strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy. Leveraging our proven, industry-leading experience in the production of large-scale LEO constellations, we are fully committed to delivering this critical first layer,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space.
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