Albuquerque and the Genocide in Palestine

October 31, 2026
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  BlackSky, Israel, Rocket Lab, Satellites, Surveillance
 

Rendering of BlackSky’s constellation of imaging satellites in low Earth orbit. Credit: BlackSky

By Bob Anderson,
Albuquerque, NM.
Posted 31 October 2026

BlackSky’s contract with Rocket Lab, and others
(For more background read footnotes 1 & 2)

1.   From an AI report:

 BlackSky is an established commercial satellite imagery and geospatial intelligence operator based in Virginia. [1]

  • BlackSky maintains a massive, active $150 million contract with Israel to supply real-time, high-frequency satellite imagery to the IDF. Due to recent shortages in Israel’s homegrown Ofeq spy satellite fleet, the IDF heavily relies on BlackSky’s low-Earth orbit constellation to monitor operational borders and track military movements across the region. [1, 2]
  • Controversy: Because BlackSky relies on private aerospace firms like Rocket Lab to launch its newest Gen-3 satellites, its specific imagery-sharing pipeline with Israeli military intelligence has sparked legal challenges and intense international government scrutiny. [1, 2]

Rocket Lab operates its space-grade solar cell production and testing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, following its acquisition of SolAero Technologies. [1, 2]

  • Address: 10420 Research Rd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
  • Phone Number: +1 (505) 332-5000
  • Primary Function: Design, manufacture, and test high-efficiency compound semiconductor solar cells and solar arrays that power space missions, satellites, and deep-space exploration vehicles (including NASA’s Artemis missions and the James Webb Space Telescope). [1, 2, 3]

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering reliable launch services, spacecraft, satellite components, and on-orbit management. We’re motivated by the enormous impact we can have on Earth by making it easier to get to space and to do incredible things there.

The satellites we build and launch are enabling innovation and exploration, they’re keeping countries connected and borders protected, they’re monitoring weather and managing waste, they’re providing insights on climate change, and helping us manage resources for future generations.

Rocket Lab’s Albuquerque office is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high efficiency solar cells, solar arrays, and composite structural products for satellite and aerospace applications. Since 2001, Rocket Lab solar products have powered over 1,100 successful space missions with zero on-orbit failures.

2.  BackVe

Another new spy satellite firm similar to BlackSky and Rocket Lab rushing to cash in on the massive amount of money being spent on satellite spy functions is BlackVe located at the corner of Gibson Blvd at Carlisle SE in Albuquerque.  (Contracts with BlackVe are classified but they likely include as US security support for the IDF.)

At the grand opening  Aug. 25, 2026, Sen. Martin Heinrich is quoted in an Albuquerque Business First article by Matthew Reichbach,  “I think a lot of it is because of the talent we have been able to attract because of the Air Force Research Labs space vehicles directorate… We have just build up quite an ecosystem to address some of the space national security challenges”.

Mayor Tim Keller said, “The success of BlackVe shows why we are the heart of Space Valley and the best place for this industry to grow…As they continue to expand, it’s also expanding job opportunities for people in our community.”

3. From Jerusalem Post why this is happening: 

From Gaza to Iran, Israel readies space ‘surprises’ for next conflicts