Open the filing on EDGARBLACKSKY REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2026 RESULTS
Record Quarterly Revenue of $43 million, Up 118% YoY and 29% Sequentially
Net Income of $19 million and Record Adjusted EBITDA of $13 million
Company Raises Full-Year Guidance for Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA
HERNDON, VA - November 5, 2026 - BlackSky Technology Inc. (“BlackSky” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BKSY) announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026.
“Building on strong Gen-3 sales performance, we delivered an exceptional third quarter with record revenue, strong margin growth, and record adjusted EBITDA,” said Brian E. O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “Real-time intelligence is more mission-critical than ever, and we are winning customers because of our demonstrated ability to deliver assured, actionable intelligence with speed, reliability, and clarity. As we scale our Gen-3 capabilities, we expect to continue our momentum capitalizing on the growing global demand for our space-based intelligence and sovereign solutions.”
Third Quarter Financial Highlights:
- Record total revenue of $43 million, up 118% from prior year
- Record space-based intelligence & AI services revenue of $33 million
- Cash balance of $231 million as of September 30, 2026
Recent Highlights
- Named the exclusive provider of very-high resolution optical satellites under a $1 billion investment through a consortium that includes France and the UAE for an initial constellation of 50 satellites to serve Europe and other markets
- Successfully completed a 2-month seven-figure assured Gen-3 pilot with the U.S. government
- International defense customer rapidly expands from a small Gen-2 pilot into a seven-figure Gen-3 Assured subscription contract in less than six months
- Successful Gen-3 pilot leads to seven-figure renewal contract with HEO to expand non-Earth imaging space domain awareness services
- Selected as the first satellite imagery provider and commenced a pilot with SkyFi’s satellite intelligence platform to power automated facility monitoring insights for Robinhood retail investors
- Successfully deployed a fifth Gen-3 satellite, achieving first light and revenue generating operations within 24 hours, expanding constellation capacity to support growing customer demand
Financial Results
Revenues
Total revenue for the third quarter of 2026 was $42.8 million, compared to $19.6 million in the third quarter of 2025. The year-over-year increase of $23.2 million, or 118%, was primarily driven by accelerating customer demand for Gen-3, which drove record space-based intelligence and AI services revenue of $32.7 million.
Cost of Sales
Total cost of sales as a percentage of revenue improved to 21% for the third quarter of 2026, compared to 35% for the third quarter of 2025. The improvement reflects the operating leverage from the growth of the Company’s high-margin space-based intelligence services.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2026 were $33.4 million, which included $4.4 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense and $7.5 million in depreciation and amortization expenses. Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2025 were $29.6 million, which included $3.5 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense and $7.9 million in depreciation and amortization expenses. Excluding the non-cash stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization expenses from both years, cash operating expenses for the third quarter of 2026 were $21.5 million, compared to $18.2 million in the prior year quarter. The year-over-year increase of $3.3 million was primarily due to planned incremental investments in the business.
Net Income
Net income for the third quarter of 2026 was $18.5 million, compared to a net loss of $15.3 million for the third quarter of 2025. The year-over-year improvement of $33.8 million was driven by strong operating results and changes in the gain/(loss) on derivatives, which are driven by fluctuations in the Company’s equity warrants and other equity instruments that are measured at fair value.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2026 was a record $12.8 million, a 29.9% margin on $42.8 million in revenue. The year-over-year increase of $17.3 million was primarily driven by strong revenue growth, expanding gross margins, and operating leverage across the business.
Balance Sheet & Capital Expenditures
As of September 30, 2026, cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaled $231.1 million. Capital expenditures for the third quarter of 2026 were $15.4 million.
Cost of sales is defined as space-based intelligence & AI services costs, excluding depreciation and amortization, mission solutions costs, excluding depreciation and amortization, and advanced technology programs costs, excluding depreciation and amortization.
Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below and reconciliation table at the end of this press release.
2026 Outlook
As a result of the strong third quarter performance, the Company is raising its full year 2026 outlook for revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the second time this year. The Company now expects revenue to be between $140 million and $150 million, and Adjusted EBITDA to be between $18 million and $24 million. The Company is maintaining its full year 2026 outlook for capital expenditures of between $50 million and $60 million.
BlackSky has not reconciled its non-GAAP financial outlook to the most directly comparable GAAP measures because certain reconciling items, such as stock-based compensation expenses, change in fair value of warrant liabilities, and depreciation and amortization are uncertain or out of BlackSky’s control and cannot be reasonably predicted. The actual amount of these expenses will have a significant impact on BlackSky’s future GAAP financial results. Accordingly, a reconciliation of BlackSky’s non-GAAP outlook to the most comparable GAAP measures is not available without unreasonable efforts.
Investment Community Conference Call
BlackSky will host a conference call and webcast for the investment community this morning at 8:30 a.m. EST. Senior management will review the third quarter results, discuss BlackSky’s business, and answer questions. To access the live webcast, please visit the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.blacksky.com and then select “News & Events”. A presentation accompanying the webcast can also be found on the investor relations website. The webcast and conference call will be archived on the investor relations website following completion of the call.
About BlackSky
BlackSky is a real-time, space-based intelligence company that delivers on-demand, high-frequency imagery, analytics, and high-frequency monitoring of the most critical and strategic locations, economic assets, and events in the world. BlackSky owns and operates one of the industry’s most advanced, purpose-built commercial, real-time intelligence system that combines the power of the BlackSky Spectra® tasking and analytics software platform and our proprietary low earth orbit satellite constellation.
With BlackSky, customers can see, understand and anticipate changes for a decisive strategic advantage at the tactical edge, and act not just fast, but first. BlackSky is trusted by some of the most demanding U.S. and international government agencies, commercial businesses, and organizations around the world. BlackSky is headquartered in Herndon, VA, and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange as BKSY. To learn more, visit www.blacksky.com and follow us on X (Twitter).
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income or loss attributable to BlackSky before interest income, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, as well as significant non-cash and/or non-recurring expenses as our management believes these items are not as useful in evaluating the Company’s core operating performance. These items include, but are not limited to, unrealized gain or loss on certain warrants/ shares classified as derivative liabilities; loss on debt extinguishment; non-recurring transaction costs; litigation, settlements, and related costs; severance; and impairment, obsolescence, and asset disposals. Cash operating expenses is defined as operating expenses less stock-based compensation expense for selling, general, and administrative costs, and depreciation and amortization expense. The Company believes evaluating cash operating expenses is useful to manage expenses as it excludes non-cash items that may obscure the underlying business performance.
Adjusted EBITDA and cash operating expenses are non-GAAP financial performance measures. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to the schedule herein and our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most comparable measure reported in accordance with GAAP, and for a discussion of the presentation, comparability, and use of adjusted EBITDA. Please refer to the schedule herein for a reconciliation of cash operating expenses to operating expenses, the most comparable measure reported in accordance with GAAP, and this press release for a discussion of the use of cash operating expenses.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements notice
Certain statements and other information included in this press release constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "plan", "potential", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "future", "opportunity", "will likely result", or "expect" and other words, terms, and phrases of similar meaning are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release, including statements as to future performance, our guidance outlook for the year, expected revenues and expected capital expenditures, our ability to sustain revenue growth, pipeline growth, backlog growth, expectations regarding the receipt of cash from customers over the next 12 months, expectations regarding global demand for our products and services, expectation regarding fulfillment of contracts with U.S. government customers and other government customers due to budget uncertainties, our anticipated liquidity and cash flows, our anticipated Gen-3 satellite launch timing, demand for Gen-3 solutions, and our expectations related to future profitability on an adjusted basis, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements notice
Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this press release. As a result, although BlackSky's management believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because BlackSky can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, factors such as long and unpredictable sales cycles, customer demand, U.S. government budget uncertainties, and our ability to estimate resources for fixed-price contracts, expenses, and other operational and liquidity needs, as well as the risk factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other disclosures about BlackSky and its business included in BlackSky's disclosure materials filed from time to time with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or on BlackSky's Investor Relations website at ir.blacksky.com.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this press release and speak only as of such date. BlackSky disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable securities law.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|
| Revenue | | | | |
| Space-based intelligence & AI services | $32,740 | | $15,782 | | $73,766 | | $50,593 | |
| Mission solutions | 4,725 | | 859 | | 11,845 | | 11,752 | |
| Advanced technology programs | 5,379 | | 2,977 | | 11,323 | | 9,016 | |
| Total revenue | 42,844 | | 19,618 | | 96,934 | | 71,361 | |
| Costs and expenses | | | | |
| Space-based intelligence & AI services costs, excluding depreciation and amortization | 4,941 | | 4,329 | | 15,260 | | 11,607 | |
| Mission solutions costs, excluding depreciation and amortization | 1,341 | | 228 | | 4,158 | | 7,459 | |
| Advanced technology programs costs, excluding depreciation and amortization | 2,796 | | 2,258 | | 6,041 | | 6,596 | |
| Selling, general and administrative | 25,393 | | 21,735 | | 71,733 | | 65,844 | |
| Research and development | 460 | | 30 | | 921 | | 292 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 7,508 | | 7,864 | | 24,752 | | 22,308 | |
| Total costs and expenses | 42,439 | | 36,444 | | 122,865 | | 114,106 | |
| Operating income (loss) | 405 | | (16,826) | | (25,931) | | (42,745) | |
| Gain (loss) on derivatives | 19,690 | | 8,386 | | 956 | | (14,148) | |
| Loss on debt extinguishment | - | | (4,140) | | - | | (4,140) | |
| Interest income | 2,052 | | 1,324 | | 4,424 | | 2,574 | |
| Interest expense | (3,622) | | (4,037) | | (11,419) | | (10,889) | |
| Other (expense) income, net | (10) | | (8) | | (12) | | 60 | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 18,515 | | (15,301) | | (31,982) | | (69,288) | |
| Income tax expense | - | | (39) | | - | | (104) | |
| Net income (loss) | 18,515 | | (15,340) | | (31,982) | | (69,392) | |
| Other comprehensive income | - | | - | | - | | - | |
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | $18,515 | | $(15,340) | | $(31,982) | | $(69,392) | |
| Earnings (loss) per share of common stock: | | | | |
| Basic | $0.45 | | $(0.44) | | $(0.83) | | $(2.11) | |
| Diluted | $0.10 | | $(0.44) | | $(0.83) | | $(2.11) | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | 40,735 | | 35,194 | | 38,454 | | 32,843 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | 43,281 | | 35,194 | | 38,454 | | 32,843 | |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except par value)
| September 30, 2026 | December 31, 2025 |
|---|
| Assets | | |
| Current assets: | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $27,419 | | $42,445 | |
| Restricted cash | | 18,327 | | 1,103 |
| Short-term investments | | 185,370 | | 82,006 |
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $131 and $50, respectively | | 25,146 | | 34,139 |
| Contract assets | | 26,982 | | 28,595 |
| Inventories | | 6,178 | | 6,178 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 7,715 | | 12,329 |
| Total current assets | | 297,137 | | 206,795 |
| Property and equipment - net | | 104,825 | | 79,037 |
| Operating lease right of use assets - net | | 5,485 | | 3,418 |
| Goodwill | | 10,279 | | 10,279 |
| Intangible assets - net | | 3,500 | | 4,422 |
| Satellite work in process | | 103,295 | | 80,651 |
| Other assets | 990 | | 1,644 | |
| Total assets | $525,511 | | $386,246 | |
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | |
| Current liabilities: | | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $18,603 | | $14,945 | |
| Contract liabilities - current | | 17,718 | | 20,518 |
| Debt - current portion | | 15,361 | | 7,937 |
| Other current liabilities | | 4,685 | | 16,061 |
| Total current liabilities | | 56,367 | | 59,461 |
| Operating lease liabilities | | 9,878 | | 7,579 |
| Derivative liabilities | | 19,481 | | 20,648 |
| Long-term debt - net of current portion | | 204,504 | | 193,180 |
| Other liabilities | | 281 | | 10,503 |
| Total liabilities | | 290,511 | | 291,371 |
| Stockholders’ equity: | | |
| Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value-authorized, 300,000 shares; issued, 41,399 and 36,227 shares; outstanding, 41,102 shares and 35,930 shares as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. | | 4 | | 4 |
| Additional paid-in capital | | 993,426 | | 821,319 |
| Accumulated deficit | | (758,430) | | (726,448) |
| Total stockholders’ equity | | 235,000 | | 94,875 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $525,511 | | $386,246 | |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|---|
| 2026 | 2025 |
|---|
| Cash flows from operating activities: | | |
| Net loss | $(31,982) | | $(69,392) | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 24,752 | | 22,308 | |
| Transfer of satellite work in process to mission solutions costs | 748 | | - | |
| Operating lease right of use assets amortization | 420 | | 458 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | 13,122 | | 10,005 | |
| Amortization of debt issuance costs and non-cash interest expense | 686 | | 3,581 | |
| (Gain) loss on derivatives | (956) | | 14,148 | |
| Non-cash interest income | (2,701) | | (1,760) | |
| Paid in kind interest at time of debt extinguishment | - | | (29,079) | |
| Loss on debt extinguishment | - | | 4,140 | |
| Other | 92 | | (212) | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | |
| Accounts receivable | 8,900 | | 10,663 | |
| Contract assets - current and long-term | 1,911 | | (15,012) | |
| Inventories | - | | 5,997 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 4,626 | | (9,085) | |
| Other assets | (7) | | (409) | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 3,174 | | (8,359) | |
| Other current liabilities | (12,088) | | 9,979 | |
| Contract liabilities - current and long-term | (13,022) | | 33,233 | |
| Other liabilities | - | | (196) | |
| Net cash used in operating activities | (2,325) | | (18,992) | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | | |
| Purchase of property and equipment | (10,776) | | (11,959) | |
| Satellite work in process | (35,758) | | (21,942) | |
| Purchases of short-term investments | (195,913) | | (120,509) | |
| Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments | 95,250 | | 44,000 | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (147,197) | | (110,410) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | | |
| Proceeds from issuance of debt | - | | 185,000 | |
| Proceeds from equity issuances, net of equity issuance costs | 160,018 | | 40,832 | |
| Proceeds from warrants exercised | 123 | | 10,753 | |
| Proceeds from options exercised and ESPP shares purchased | 806 | | 180 | |
| Repayments of debt | (6,188) | | (83,377) | |
| Payments for debt issuance costs | - | | (7,304) | |
| Withholding tax payments on vesting of restricted stock units | (3,039) | | (1,142) | |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 151,720 | | 144,942 | |
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 2,198 | | 15,540 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash - beginning of year | 43,548 | | 14,378 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash - end of period | $45,746 | | $29,918 | |
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|---|
| 2026 | | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|
| Net income (loss) | $18,515 | | -29079000 | $(15,340) | | $(31,982) | | $(69,392) | |
| Interest income | (2,052) | | | (1,324) | | (4,424) | | (2,574) | |
| Interest expense | 3,622 | | | 4,037 | | 11,419 | | 10,889 | |
| Income tax expense | - | | | 39 | | - | | 104 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 7,508 | | | 7,864 | | 24,752 | | 22,308 | |
| (Gain) loss on derivatives | (19,690) | | | (8,386) | | (956) | | 14,148 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | 4,705 | | | 3,654 | | 13,122 | | 10,005 | |
| Non-recurring transaction costs | 92 | | | 224 | | 109 | | 1,255 | |
| Severance | 71 | | | 77 | | 323 | | 409 | |
| Litigation, settlements, and related costs | 2 | | | 485 | | 52 | | 700 | |
| Loss on debt extinguishment | - | | | 4,140 | | - | | 4,140 | |
| Impairment and asset disposals | - | | | 46 | | - | | 90 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $12,773 | | | $(4,484) | | $12,415 | | $(7,918) | |
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EXPENSES TO CASH OPERATING EXPENSES
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|
| Operating expenses | $33,361 | | $29,629 | | $97,406 | | $88,444 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | (7,508) | | (7,864) | | (24,752) | | (22,308) | |
| Stock-based compensation for selling, general and administrative costs | (4,410) | | (3,482) | | (12,403) | | (9,527) | |
| Cash operating expenses | $21,443 | | $18,283 | | $60,251 | | $56,609 | |
Contacts
Aly Bonilla
VP, Investor Relations abonilla@blacksky.com
571-591-2864
Chuck Harper
Manager, Public Relations bksypr@blacksky.com
571-591-2863