Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) Confirms Successful Deployment of HawkEye 360 Microsatellite Cluster 10
2024年8月19日 - 7:00PM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
Developed in SFL Flex Production Program
Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) confirmed that HawkEye 360 Cluster
10 has been successfully launched and deployed in orbit. Cluster 10
brings to 30 the total number of radio frequency geolocation
microsatellites developed for HawkEye 360 by SFL and is the third
Cluster integrated at HawkEye 360’s Virginia facility under the SFL
Flex Production Program.
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Pre-launch photo of HawkEye 360 Cluster
10 microsatellites that were launched on Aug. 16, 2024, from
Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., on SpaceX Transporter-11.
(Photo credit: SpaceX)
Cluster 10 launched on August 16, 2024, at 2:56 p.m. EDT from
Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., aboard the Transporter-11
Rideshare mission with SpaceX via launch integrator Exolaunch. All
three microsatellites have communicated with ground control.
Based in Herndon, Va., HawkEye 360 is the global leader in radio
frequency (RF) signal analysis and the first to use
formation-flying microsatellites for terrestrial RF signal
detection. This data is analyzed for many commercial applications
including maritime situational awareness, emergency response,
national security, and spectrum mapping.
Attitude control and formation flying by multiple spacecraft in
orbit are a necessity for accurate RF signal geolocation, a primary
consideration in HawkEye 360’s selection of SFL as its satellite
provider. The acknowledged leader in small spacecraft stability,
SFL has innovated compact, low-cost formation-flying technology at
a maturity and price point unmatched in the microspace industry
today.
All HawkEye 360 satellites developed by SFL are still in
operation. SFL built the Pathfinder (Cluster 1) satellites on its
15-kg NEMO platform, launched in 2018. Subsequent clusters have
been developed on the larger 30-kg SFL DEFIANT bus. For Pathfinder,
Clusters 2-6 and 9, SFL handled the entire development process,
including integration and testing, at its Toronto facility. Cluster
12 will incorporate technology updates and will also be integrated
by SFL.
An early adopter of Flex Production, HawkEye 360 performed
integration of the RF signal tracking payload with the DEFIANT bus
for Clusters 7, 8 and 10 at its own plant with technical guidance
from SFL. Clusters 11 and 13, now in development, will be
integrated by HawkEye 360 in Virginia as well.
“SFL created Flex Production with NewSpace companies in mind, so
they can leverage SFL’s microspace expertise while satisfying the
financial requirements of an often-aggressive NewSpace business
model,” said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. “NewSpace companies
can mass produce satellites in-house at a price point that works
for them under our flexible program.”
Flex Production gives customers the option of contracting SFL to
completely develop the first satellite, or satellite cluster, at
its Toronto facility. SFL can then assist the customer in setting
up subsequent mass production at their own, or third-party, site
for development of a large constellation of spacecraft. However,
development can shift back to SFL when a new spacecraft design or
technology update is requested.
Established in 1998, SFL has developed 79 operationally
successful smaller satellite missions totaling more than 327
cumulative years in orbit. Another 30 missions are now under
development by SFL, which offers a complete suite of nano-, micro-
and small satellites – including high-performance, low-cost
CubeSats – that satisfy the needs of a broad range of mission types
from 3 to 500 kilograms. For a comprehensive list of SFL
high-performance satellite platforms, please visit
https://www.utias-sfl.net/satellite-platforms/overview/.
About Space Flight Laboratory (SFL)
(www.utias-sfl.net)
SFL generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost
satellites. Small satellites built by SFL consistently push the
performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We
build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time
and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex
Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power
systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity
that are striking relative to the budget. SFL arranges launches
globally and maintains a mission control center accessing ground
stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL
is a key enabler to tomorrow’s cost-aggressive satellites and
constellations. (www.utias-sfl.net)
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Dr. Robert E. Zee SFL Director 1-416-667-7400 info@utias-sfl.net
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