HawkEye 360 Inc., the first commercial company to use formation-flying satellites to create a new class of radio frequency (RF) data and data analytics, today announced that its recently-launched "Cluster 2" satellites have achieved initial operating capability.

The trio of satellites, which entered orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in January, have completed functional testing, moved into proper formation, and begun to geolocate RF signals. They are currently supplying RF data to customers and will soon ramp up output to reach full operating capability.

"The commissioning of these satellites is a major breakthrough for commercial geospatial intelligence," said CEO John Serafini. "As the leading global provider of space-based RF insights, HawkEye 360 is pleased that our newest satellites are performing exceptionally well and delivering high-quality RF data to our U.S. government, international government, commercial and humanitarian customers."

The Cluster 2 satellites greatly improve upon the capabilities of HawkEye 360's first "Pathfinder" (Cluster 1) satellites. The new satellites have redundant systems for longevity, increased computing for on-board data processing, a dedicated GNSS antenna to monitor GPS interference, enhancements to HawkEye 360's industry-leading geolocation accuracy, wider range of RF frequency coverage, and up to 10 times more collection capacity.

"Cluster 2 and its associated ground systems symbolize our ability to rapidly deliver new impactful capability - capability essential for supporting our clients' evolving requirements for global commercial RF data and analytics," said Executive Vice President Alex Fox.

"We have a robust roadmap for deploying the most advanced commercial RF solution required to support this high growth industry. In conjunction with Mission Space - our RF analytics platform - we are opening the door for customers across a wide array of industries to seamlessly harness valuable RF insights to further their operational objectives."

HawkEye 360 is launching five additional clusters (15 total satellites) to establish its baseline constellation. Cluster 3 is on track to launch June 2021, Cluster 4 for October 2021, and further launches planned every quarter thereafter through 2023. Once the baseline constellation is in orbit, the company will be able to maintain revisit rates of considerably less than an hour to support time-sensitive monitoring of developing defense, security, and environmental situations.

Related Links
HawkEye 360
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application

Thanks for being there; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5+ Billed Monthly		SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal

China launches new Earth observation satellite
Jiuquan (XNA) Apr 01, 2021
China sent a new Earth observation satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday (Beijing Time). The satellite, Gaofen-12 02, was launched aboard a Long March-4C rocket and entered its planned orbit successfully. The satellite will be used in land surveys, urban planning, road network design and crop yield estimation, as well as disaster relief. It was the 364th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series span ... read more

Read more from original source...