SFL Missions Inc. confirmed the successful deployment of six radio frequency (RF) detection and geolocation satellites for HawkEye 360 of Herndon, Va. SFL Missions delivered the HawkEye 360 Cluster 15 and 16 spacecraft bus units and subsystems with advanced capabilities to HawkEye 360’s facility in Virginia for assembly, integration, and testing under the SFL Flex Production Program.

A total of 48 operational HawkEye 360 RF geolocation satellites have been developed on SFL spacecraft platforms.

HawkEye 360 Cluster 15 launched October 20 on the SpaceX Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Cluster 16 launched aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket on October 23 from Māhia Spaceport in New Zealand. Ground control has communicated with all six satellites and confirmed their successful deployment.

SFL Missions designed an upgraded version of the SFL space-proven 30-kg DEFIANT spacecraft bus specifically for Hawkeye 360 Cluster 15 and Cluster 16 to enable new capabilities. One key innovation on both Clusters is a switchable antenna and radio system that allows simultaneous payload collection and downlink of targeted RF signal data. This means the satellites will download payload data in real time to ground receiving stations in theater.

Another advancement on HawkEye 360 Cluster 15 is the addition of drag sail deorbiting technology. Each satellite is equipped with a drag sail that will deploy to deorbit the spacecraft at the end of its mission to reduce debris in orbit. Having first demonstrated a similar drag sail by SFL on the 2017 CanX-7 mission, this technology allows launches at the upper end of rideshare launch altitudes without requiring the expense and complexity of deorbiting propulsion systems.

“The HawkEye 360 Cluster 15 and 16 launches demonstrate SFL Missions’ unmatched ability to rapidly design and innovate new capabilities on a space-proven small satellite bus design to meet the evolving needs of an expanding customer base,” said SFL Missions CEO and Founder Dr. Robert E. Zee.

HawkEye 360 is the global leader in signals intelligence and the first to use formation-flying microsatellites for maritime and terrestrial RF signal detection. This data is analyzed for many sectors, including maritime situational awareness, emergency response, national security, and spectrum mapping. Common defense applications include Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT).

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 spacecraft developer. SFL Missions utilizes compact, low-cost attitude determination and formation-flying technologies at a maturity and price point unique in the microspace industry today.

HawkEye 360 was an early adopter of the SFL Flex Production Program created to support the ambitious business models of NewSpace companies. Customers contract SFL Missions to develop the first satellite, or cluster. SFL Missions then assists the customer in setting up subsequent mass production at their own, or third-party, site. However, development can shift back to SFL Missions when a new spacecraft design or technology update is requested.

SFL Missions is building on a heritage of 479+ cumulative years in orbit by spacecraft developed for commercial, government, and research customers. The firm is developing nano-, micro-, and small satellites and constellations using space-proven bus designs from 3 to 500 kilograms for Earth observation, communications, environmental monitoring, maritime situational awareness, space astronomy, scientific research and more.