BlackSky

Long name	BlackSky
Short name	BSKY
Sensor type	Framing Camera RGBW Color Filter Array
Platform	BlackSky
Key file name (use to open dataset)	BSG-*_metadata.json
Supported file name extensions	.json, .tif, .txt, .png
Sections	Data product name and description Distribution disk files Returned data for supported format References

Data product name and description

BlackSky is a constellation of Earth observation satellites which have naming convention "Global ##" and owned by BlackSky.

BlackSky satellites collect electro-optical (EO) imagery in the visible RGB wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. BlackSky satellites capture imagery using a two-dimensional framing camera with a RGBW color filter array (CFA). This allows for red, green, blue, and panchromatic information to be captured simultaneously.

The following BlackSky data products are supported by GDB:

BlackSky Anthro products

Anthro processing enhances an image's interpretability to the human eye. Anthro processing adjusts the image's color balance and enhances the image's contrast through a dynamic range adjustment (DRA) which results in the Scaled DN pixel units.

BlackSky Ortho products

Ortho processing prepares the image for viewing on a map by projecting the image into the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system. Ortho processing removes distortions from perspective, elevation, and the sensor's optics.

Note: The information provided herein is based on the data distributor's documentation cited under References.

Spectral bands: Spectral range (nm)	Spatial resolution (m)* (spectral resolution)	Maximum image dimensions (Across track x along track, km)	Notes
Blue: 450 - 520 Green: 500 - 590 Red: 590 - 700 Panchromatic: 450 - 700	eNIIRS 4.0 – Ground Sample Distance (GSD) At-Nadir: 0.83 m - 0.94 m eNIIRS 3.5 – Ground Sample Distance (GSD) At-Nadir: 1.1 m - 1.3 m	eNIIRS 4.0 – Nominal Image Scene Dimensions At-Nadir: 4.1 km x 6.2 km eNIIRS 3.5 – Nominal Image Scene Dimensions At-Nadir: 4.6 km x 6.8 km	Sensor Dynamic Range – Pixel Bit Depth: 12-bit Imagery Product Delivery – Data Type: 16-bit Unsigned Integer (uint16) Minimum Satellite Elevation Angle For Imaging: 60° (~30° off-nadir) Minimum Solar Elevation Angle For Imaging: 10° (above horizon) Geolocation Accuracy: less than 20m CE90 global and less than 10m CE90 regional

The available BlackSky anthro products are as follows:

Product type	Description	Notes
Multi Spectral	3-band multi spectral image (Blue, Green, Red)	Non-orthorectified, adjusts the image's color balance, multispectral BGR enhances the image's contrast through a dynamic range adjustment (DRA)
Panchromatic	1-band Panchromatic image	Non-orthorectified, adjusts the image's color balance, panchromatic (PAN) enhances the image's contrast through a dynamic range adjustment (DRA)

The available BlackSky ortho products are as follows:

Product type	Description	Notes
Multi Spectral	3-band multi spectral image (Blue, Green, Red)	Orthorectified, projecting the image into the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system distortions from perspective, elevation, and the sensor's optics.
Panchromatic	1-band Panchromatic image	Non-orthorectified, projecting the image into the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system distortions from perspective, elevation, and the sensor's optics.

Distribution disk files

Warning: Data sets for this sensor are organized in a specific folder structure on disk. GDB uses this structure and the file names to identify the data product type. Do not alter the folder structure or any file names prior to data ingestion to ensure the image data and auxiliary information are imported correctly.

You can open a BlackSky data set by selecting the BSG-*_metadata.json file.

Note: When entering the file name of the dataset in EASI/PACE, enter BSG-*_metadata.json-productType(-PAN or -MS).

When opening a BlackSky dataset, the files read by GDB are described in the following table.

File name	Format	Required	Contents/details
BSG-*_metadata.json	JSON	Yes	Key file name, contains data set metadata
BSG-_georeferenced.tif BSG-_georeferenced-pan.tif BSG-_ortho.tif BSG-_ortho-pan.tif	GeoTIFF	Yes	Image data
BSG-_georeferenced_rpc.txt BSG-_georeferenced-pan_rpc.txt	RPC data	Yes	Text file of Rational Polynomial Coefficients (Only availiable for basic products)
BSG-_mask.tif BSG-_ortho-mask.tif	GeoTIFF	Optional	Data Mask File A GeoTIFF that flags pixels if they are cloudy, water, saturated or defective
BSG-_browse.png*	PNG	Optional	Browse file

Returned data for supported format

BlackSky data can be opened directly in its raw vendor format or imported into a PCIDSK (*.pix) file using the key file name (*_metadata.json). For optimal processing, use the PCIDSK format.

The following table describes the data structure after it is opened by GDB.

Data product	Data returned	Details/notes
Multi Spectral	3 x [16U] raster channels 1 x [GCP] ground control points 1 x [TEX] product annotation 1 x [ORB] orbit segment 1 x [BIN] rational function model	3-band MS Image (Blue, Green, Red) GCP, ORB and BIN only available for non-ortho products
Panchromatic	1 x [16U] raster channel 1 x [GCP] ground control points 1 x [TEX] product annotation 1 x [ORB] orbit segment 1 x [BIN] rational function model	1-band Panchromatic Image GCP, ORB and BIN only available for non-ortho product

References

BlackSky_Imagery_Product_Specification.pdf June 2022 (v3.8)

BlackSky_Imagery_GeoTIFF_Implementation_Profile.pdf

BlackSky_Imagery_Metadata_Glossary.pdf

For more information, visit: blacksky.com