Earth-observation satellite services provider Blacksky is preparing deployment of new, higher-res satellites, aiming to have four operational by September.
A decade ago, SpaceX launched six Falcon 9 rockets in a year—now, it could be on track for an orbital launch rate of 136 Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy flights.
The service is taking the Rocket Systems Launch Program back to its customer-funded roots, but small launchers still have routes to work with the government.
The take-private deal marks a near-complete reversal from the $2.6 billion valuation that the startup sported when it became a publicly traded company.