BlackSky, a prominent space-based imagery company, has recently secured a significant defense contract worth $2 million. The contract, awarded by engineering/test firm Axient on behalf of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), aims to provide valuable data for training artificial intelligence (AI) models.
Under this contract, Axient will leverage BlackSky’s cutting-edge satellite imagery and data-analytics platform to conduct research and technology demonstrations focused on tracking moving objects from space. BlackSky officials have highlighted that the studies will involve collecting and annotating numerous multi-frame burst images to train AI models specifically designed for commercial motion imagery.
Satellites capture multi-frame burst images, which consist of sequences of consecutive video frames captured within a brief time frame. By utilizing the data obtained through these experiments, AFRL aims to enhance its ability to identify moving objects from space accurately and recognize patterns of life.
This collaboration between BlackSky, Axient, and AFRL underscores the growing importance of leveraging advanced technologies such as AI and satellite imagery for defense and security purposes. The successful execution of this contract is expected to yield valuable insights and capabilities that will contribute to enhancing national security efforts.
Overall, this partnership marks a significant step forward in harnessing the power of AI and satellite technology to strengthen defense systems and support the missions of organizations like AFRL. It highlights the increasing reliance on innovative solutions to address evolving challenges in the realm of national security.
