Satellogic Secures Phases II–III ONR Slingshot Extension Adding Eight ISL Satellites
Satellogic secured a subcontract to extend its Slingshot program with ONR, adding Phases II (summer 2026 service extension for two ISL-equipped Mark V satellites) and III (2027 deployment of six Mark VI satellites to eight ISL-ready assets). The program enables real-time orbital image processing for maritime intelligence, reducing data-to-decision latency.
1. Contract Extension Details
Satellogic signed a new subcontract with Innovative Defense Technologies to support the U.S. Office of Naval Research, extending the Slingshot maritime intelligence R&D initiative. This deal follows the successful Slingshot I phase and expands commitment through two additional program phases running from summer 2026 into 2027.
2. Technical Enhancements
Slingshot II will extend service for two Inter-Satellite Link–equipped NewSat Mark V satellites during summer 2026, while Slingshot III will deploy six next-generation NewSat Mark VI satellites in 2027, bringing the dedicated fleet to eight ISL-ready assets for low-latency orbital processing.
3. Strategic Benefits
By processing imagery onboard and performing object classification directly in orbit, the program slashes the hours-long delay between image capture and actionable intelligence. This capability enhances maritime domain awareness for the Navy, Marine Corps and other agencies by delivering rapid alerts and tracking.
4. Outlook and Impact
The multi-year extension reinforces Satellogic’s position in defense geospatial services and could drive recurring R&D revenue. Integration of Mark VI satellites and edge computing payloads sets a new industry benchmark for real-time Earth observation performance.