A BlackSky Gen-2 satellite captured this image of the International Space Station on Sept. 12, 2024. Photo: BlackSky

BlackSky was awarded a seven-figure contract by HEO, an Australian startup specializing in non-Earth imaging (NEI) and analytics. BlackSky will provide imagery of objects in space for space domain awareness, versus images of Earth. 

BlackSky announced the contract on Thursday. The company said this deal lets BlackSky leverage unused capacity on its satellites in situations like passing over the ocean or traveling across the dark side of Earth.

HEO will incorporate BlackSky’s constellation into the company’s non-Earth imaging sensor network, which provides images of objects in space. HEO’s software will be able to task BlackSky’s satellites to meet customer requests. BlackSky said the contract is now moving into its second phase after an initial proof of concept and is now focused on automating tasking-to-delivery process. 

“Leveraging the power of real-time dynamic monitoring in the space domain unlocks additional value from BlackSky’s high-resolution constellation,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “Space situational awareness is critically important for our customers as the space domain continues to become a highly contested operational environment.” 

HEO is based in Australia with offices in the U.S. and U.K. Last year the company raised a $12 million AUD funding round led by Australian VC Airtree Ventures. The company operates its own sensors in space and has partnerships with companies including Axelspace, Satellogic, and Sidus Space.