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BlackSky's fifth Gen-3 satellite achieves first light over China
BlackSkyGen-3 Satellite Constellation
BlackSky's fifth Gen-3 satellite achieved first light in under 20 hours after launch on September 12, 2026, capturing imagery of H-6 bombers through early morning haze at an air base near Nanning, China. The rapid first light at 7:25 a.m. local time demonstrated the constellation's tactical intelligence capabilities and expansion toward global coverage.