BlackSky vs Planet: Earth observation compared

November 2026 edition · assessment by Frontier Tech Intelligence

BlackSky ranks 34 on the Space 100 with a score of 78; Planet ranks 92 with 65. BlackSky is ahead on deployment, technology and positioning. Planet is ahead on production, firepower and leverage. Level on commercials and progress. BlackSky is based in Herndon, United States, Planet in San Francisco, United States. BlackSky: Established. Planet: public. BlackSky is named in 30 signals and Planet in 28.

BlackSky →

Herndon, Virginia, United States · Space · Satellites & spacecraft / Earth observation · Established · blacksky.com

BlackSky provides real-time satellite-derived intelligence for tactical surveillance, tracking and ISR customers including the U.S. Space Force and international defense users.

Space 100 · rank 34 · score 78AI Core · watchlist · score 61

Scores, Space (of 10)

Deployment8
Production6
Commercials8
Progress10
Technology8
Positioning8
Firepower8
Leverage6

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

BlackSky is a US Earth-observation operator (NYSE:BKSY) deploying its Gen-3 constellation (35cm imagery, sub-hourly revisit), with FY25 record revenue of $107M, Q2-26 revenue of $33M (+50%), and FY26 guidance of $130-150M at positive adjusted EBITDA (a second consecutive positive-EBITDA year). Backlog reached ~$380M by Q1-26 (including a $99M sole-source AFRL IDIQ ceiling), with more than 80% of funded backlog in multi-year international subscription contracts and international growth now outpacing the US. It is converting bespoke missions into recurring subscriptions while spending up to $60M capex to scale Gen-3.

Latest signals

  • BlackSky extended its HEO agreement with a seven-figure annual non-Earth imaging contract.Satellite Evolution
  • BlackSky CEO Brian O'Toole identifies sovereign market as the top opportunity at Space Defense and Security SummitVia Satellite
  • Sovereign Earth Observation satellite market executives assess changing dynamics at Space Defense and Security summitVia Satellite

30 signals name BlackSky.

Facts, with sources

  • Exclusive provider of a very high-resolution electro-optical constellation for a new space-based AI infrastructure initiativewww.stocktitan.net — 2026-09-09
  • Seven-figure, multi-year international contract for combined Assured and On-Demand subscriptionsLeoStella
  • International customer revenues grew year-over-year in Q2 2026SpaceNews

38 facts on file.

Planet →

San Francisco, California, United States · Space · Satellites & spacecraft / Earth observation · public · www.planet.com

Planet sells customer-facing satellite-data analytics through Planet AI Application, which lets users query imagery and generate time-series insights.

Space 100 · rank 92 · score 65AI Core · watchlist · score 60

Scores, Space (of 10)

Deployment1
Production9
Commercials8
Progress10
Technology4
Positioning7
Firepower9
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Latest signals

  • Planet secured sovereign-space wins in 2026.Via Satellite
  • Planet is opening a new factory in Germany.Via Satellite
  • Planet is investing in onboard AI for space systems.Via Satellite

28 signals name Planet.

Facts, with sources

  • USD 5739121070finance.yahoo.com
  • USD 210202000sec.gov
  • USD 116052000sec.gov

12 facts on file.

More comparisons

Questions this page answers

BlackSky or Planet: which is ahead in space?

BlackSky ranks 34 on the Space 100 with a score of 78; Planet ranks 92 with 65. BlackSky is ahead on deployment, technology and positioning. Planet is ahead on production, firepower and leverage. Level on commercials and progress. BlackSky is based in Herndon, United States, Planet in San Francisco, United States. BlackSky: Established. Planet: public. BlackSky is named in 30 signals and Planet in 28.

How do BlackSky and Planet compare?

BlackSky ranks 34 on the Space 100 with a score of 78; Planet ranks 92 with 65. BlackSky is ahead on deployment, technology and positioning. Planet is ahead on production, firepower and leverage. Level on commercials and progress. BlackSky is based in Herndon, United States, Planet in San Francisco, United States. BlackSky: Established. Planet: public. BlackSky is named in 30 signals and Planet in 28. Both company files carry the scores on eight measures, the facts with sources and the latest signals.

Every comparison here comes from the same files members use every day.

Members see every signal and fact behind both companies, the live ranking, the questions the signals answer and the week explained. $99 a month, 7-day trial. What Frontier Tech Intelligence is →

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