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Third partnership extension brings BlackSky’s Gen-3 very high-resolution imagery into HEO’s sensor network, supporting more detailed inspection and identification of spacecraft.
SYDNEY, Australia [October 15, 2026] - HEO, a space intelligence company that images and analyses objects in orbit, has announced a third extension of its partnership with BlackSky, accessing imagery from BlackSky’s Gen-2 and very high-resolution Gen-3 satellites to enable fully automated, low-latency non-Earth imaging (NEI).
The partnership gives HEO more opportunities to inspect and characterise spacecraft in orbit. BlackSky’s Gen-3 imagery helps HEO resolve spacecraft subsystems and onboard components in greater detail. Combined with HEO’s software and analysis, these observations help customers better understand the condition and behaviours of objects they depend on.
HEO turns existing satellites into inspection platforms. Its software identifies imaging opportunities, coordinates collection, processes imagery and analyses objects in orbit. This approach expands access to spacecraft inspection without requiring a dedicated inspection satellite for every mission.
“As we put more infrastructure into orbit, we need better ways to inspect it, understand its condition and respond to what we observe. That requires frequent access to high-resolution imagery, without building a dedicated spacecraft for every mission. By combining BlackSky’s satellite constellation with HEO’s software and analysis, we can make existing space infrastructure serve a new purpose and give customers a clearer picture of the objects they depend on,” said Will Crowe, CEO and Co-Founder of HEO.
“Our expanded partnership with HEO reflects the rapid evolution of non-Earth imagery from a specialized proof-of-concept into a critical component of mainstream space domain awareness,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “With access to our combined Gen-2 and Gen-3 constellation, customers gain industry-leading image clarity and more collection opportunities essential for observing and characterizing intricate objects in orbit. Our software-defined, AI-enabled end-to-end architecture provides the flexibility to seamlessly leverage unused constellation capacity and deliver high-value, real-time intelligence for vital SDA missions without disrupting our primary terrestrial imaging operations.”
HEO is already using Blacksky’s satellite infrastructure for non-Earth imaging (NEI). To mark the partnership extension, HEO is releasing a new image captured through its NEI operations.
As governments and commercial operators place more valuable infrastructure in orbit, they need better ways to understand the condition and behaviour of spacecraft. HEO turns imagery into information that helps customers investigate anomalies, assess spacecraft configuration and prepare for future in-orbit operations.
About HEO
HEO is building the intelligence layer for space. We image objects in orbit on demand, turning existing satellites into inspection platforms and building our own sensors where coverage gaps remain. Our software automates tasking, capture and analysis, turning imagery into insight about the condition, configuration and behaviour of objects in orbit. HEO operates internationally, with offices in Australia, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Our goal is to make any image in the Solar System available on demand.
About BlackSky
BlackSky is a real-time, space-based intelligence company that delivers on-demand, high frequency imagery, analytics, and high-frequency monitoring of the most critical and strategic locations, economic assets and events in the world. BlackSky owns and operates one of the industry’s most advanced, purpose-built commercial, real-time intelligence systems that combines the power of the BlackSky Spectra® tasking and analytics software platform and our proprietary low Earth orbit satellite constellation.
With BlackSky, customers can see, understand and anticipate changes for a decisive strategic advantage at the tactical edge, and act not just fast, but first. BlackSky is trusted by some of the most demanding U.S. and international government agencies, commercial businesses, and organizations around the world. BlackSky is headquartered in Herndon, VA, and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange as BKSY. To learn more, visit www.blacksky.com and follow us on X.
HEO Media Contact
Dane Brumm
Marketing Manager, HEO
BlackSky Media Contact
Chuck Harper
External Communications
bksypr@blacksky.com
