Weekly GEOINT Community News

BlackSky Completes its First Next-Gen Small Sat

Spaceflight Industries’ BlackSky announced the completion of a next-generation earth imaging satellite called Global-1—the first of four BlackSky small sats scheduled to launch in the next year. Global-1 provides 1-meter resolution, improved image quality and precision, and quicker turnaround after tasking. The Global series will join the constellation of remote sensing spacecraft accessible to BlackSky geospatial platform users.

Leidos Awarded Two Army Contracts

Leidos won a $200 million contract to continue geospatial intelligence support for the U.S. Army for up to the next five years. The company will provide technology and support to operations, research, and development for the Army Geospatial Center at Fort Belvoir in Alexandria, Va.

Leidos also received a potential five-year, $230 million task order from the General Services Administration to install C4ISR systems on aerospace equipment and weapons for the Army. Additionally, Leidos will provide equipment and transportation to the Army’s Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center.

Vencore-Keypoint-DXC Merger to Form Perspecta

Vencore, Keypoint Government Solutions, and DXC Technology’s U.S. Public Sector business will merge under the name Perspecta once the transaction is finalized. Vencore president and CEO Mac Curtis will serve as CEO of Perspecta. The company will provide federal, state, and local government clients with IT services and platforms, and is expected to officially launch in May.

Maxar and DigitalGlobe Celebrate First Anniversary of News Bureau Program

Maxar Technologies last week celebrated the completion of its News Bureau program’s first year of operations. The News Bureau is a partnership with global news and media outlets that supplies high-resolution DigitalGlobe imagery and analytics for investigations of social injustice. Since its creation in 2017, the program has helped expose violence against Muslims in Myanmar, seafood trade run by slave labor in Southeast Asia, and the local effects of war in Iraq and Syria.

Maxar’s SSL Launches Communications Satellite

Maxar Technologies’ spacecraft business SSL announced last week the launch of the Hispasat 30W-6 communications satellite. After completing post-launch maneuvers and propulsion to geostationary orbit, the satellite now begins a 15-year telecom mission for Europe and the Americas. The Hispasat payload includes a cutting-edge photonics receiver that will enable enhanced performance and flexibility.

Peer Intel

The White House announced the nomination of Lisa Porter, In-Q-Tel’s executive VP and the director of IQT Labs, to serve as deputy undersecretary for research and engineering at the Defense Department. Porter has significant experience in the federal space, including leadership positions with IARPA, DARPA, and NASA.

Photo Credit: BlackSky