Illustration of Vantor’s next-generation 20 cm-class Vantage imaging satellite Credit: Vantor
WASHINGTON — Vantor has chosen BAE Systems to build its next generation of high-resolution imaging satellites. The selection reunites Vantor with the former Ball Aerospace business that helped develop DigitalGlobe’s Earth-observation satellites.
The Colorado-based Earth intelligence company said June 24 that BAE will build its planned Vantage satellites, a new class of 20-centimeter imaging spacecraft expected to enter service before the end of the decade. Two Vantage satellites are planned as part of an expansion of Vantor’s current fleet of 10 electro-optical imaging satellites.
“BAE Systems was selected based on its extensive heritage developing highly capable spacecraft systems and its long-standing partnership supporting the Vantor constellation,” the company said.
The award returns a familiar name to Vantor’s supply chain. Before its acquisition by BAE Systems in 2024, Ball Aerospace built DigitalGlobe’s Earth-observation satellites, including WorldView-1, WorldView-2 and WorldView-3. Ball supplied the spacecraft buses, imaging instruments and camera systems.
