Second Cluster of Advanced Satellites Readied for SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch

Cluster 2 has up to ten times the collection capacity of Cluster 1 already in orbit, allowing HawkEye 360 to offer increasingly robust space-based RF data insights and improved geolocation accuracy By Joseph Macey / 05 Jan 2021

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
HAWKEYE 360’S NEXT-GEN SATELLITES
Follow DA

The second cluster of satellites scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 as part of Spaceflight Inc.’s SXRS-3 ride share mission has shipped to the launch site at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Cluster 2 is the first of a series of next generation satellites HawkEye 360 Inc. is deploying to complete its baseline constellation.

“The upcoming launch of HawkEye Cluster 2 firmly establishes HawkEye 360 as the most advanced provider of RF geoanalytics,” said John Serafini, CEO. “These new satellites continue to push the boundaries of commercial RF sensing. Cluster 2 has up to ten times the collection capacity of our current cluster and improved geolocation accuracy. Our customers are asking for more data over more regions, so these next generation satellites are critical to supplying our customers with relevant and timely RF geospatial intelligence for national security, maritime domain awareness, environmental protection, and countless other applications.”

This shipment milestone means that Cluster 2 will soon be joining the company’s Cluster 1 satellites in orbit. The three Cluster 2 satellites are larger and more powerful, able to collect multiple types of signals simultaneously for longer periods of time. These workhorse satellites will allow HawkEye 360 to offer increasingly robust space-based RF data insights to its US government, international government, and commercial customers across a wide range of frequencies.

Each Cluster 2 satellite contains a customized RF payload developed by HawkEye 360. The satellite buses were manufactured by UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory. Beyond Cluster 2, HawkEye 360 is fully financed for the launch of fifteen more satellites in 2021 and early 2022.

HawkEye 360 is completing development of satellites for Clusters 3 and 4, anticipating launch in the middle of 2021. Clusters 5, 6, and 7 are in development with anticipated launch over the next 18 months. The average global revisit rate will be less than an hour.

HawkEye 360’s growing constellation identifies and precisely geolocates a broad set of RF signals from emitters such as VHF marine radios, UHF push-to-talk radios, maritime and land-based radar systems, L-band satellite devices, and emergency beacons. HawkEye 360 processes and analyzes this data using proprietary algorithms to deliver actionable insights to customers.

Posted by Joseph Macey Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

SmallSat & Space Access Summit 2025 to Convene Key Industry Experts

DSI has announced the 8th Annual SmallSat & Space Access Summit, taking place June 25–26, 2025, in National Harbor, MD, featuring discussions on small satellite technology and space access solutions

May 14, 2025
Textron Systems Advances Naval sUSV Capabilities with TSUNAMI Delivery

Textron Systems has delivered its first TSUNAMI autonomous surface vessel to NSWC Dahlgren, supporting research, testing, and development of future naval capabilities

May 14, 2025
Tactical Digital Communication Platform for Real-Time Battlefield Awareness

Savox has launched the Savox Bridge, a secure and reliable military communications system for challenging tactical environments

May 14, 2025
Enhancing Defense Operations with Efficient Collaborative Robots

Explore how Elite Robots, represented in the U.S. by KT Technical Solutions, is equipping defense operations with safe, flexible cobots that enhance efficiency, safety, and mission readiness.

May 14, 2025
Q&A: Sunhillo’s Advanced Surveillance Solutions Power U.S. Military Operations

In this Q&A, Sunhillo outlines how its surveillance technologies are enhancing U.S. military operations, with real-world deployment examples and innovations in cybersecurity and data integration

May 14, 2025
Next-Gen Group 2 UAS Enters Production with Extended Endurance & Upgrades

Aurora Flight Sciences upgrades the SKIRON-X Group 2 UAS with greater versatility and tactical mission endurance, as well as announcing the hydrogen-powered SKIRON-XLE variant

May 13, 2025

Featured Content

Discover ANELLO’s SiPhOG™ for GNSS-Denied Navigation at XPO25

CEO of ANELLO Photonics, Dr. Mario Paniccia, will present at Xponential 2025 on the company's SiPhOG-based inertial navigation technology in GPS-denied and GNSS-contested environments.

May 09, 2025
U.S. Army Partnership Advances Autonomous Helicopter Logistics Program

The U.S. Army is partnering with Honeywell and Near Earth Autonomy to retrofit Black Hawk helicopters with scalable autonomy kits for uncrewed logistics operations

May 08, 2025
Modular Head-Mounted Digital System for Real-Time Decision Support in Contested Environments

Galvion's new CORTEX™ system integrates compute, power, and data management into a modular helmet-mounted platform designed for modern tactical operations.

May 06, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.