Subscribe with SteadyKestrel 0A, 0B
Kestrel 0A [HawkEye 360 / UTIAS]
Kestrel-0A is an experimental satellite for evaluating emerging capabilities and future technology enhancements for HawkEye 360 commercial SIGINT constellation. It is also known as Block 3 Lite.
Kestrel-0A will operate as part of the authorized HE360 Constellation. It differs from previous Hawk satellites in the HE360 constellation primarily in that it has an 8U CubeSat form factor and will include an Iridium satellite transceiver for low-rate, real-time two-way communications between the Kestrel-0A satellite and the HE360 ground network via the Iridium constellation. Kestrel-0A will otherwise operate in the same frequencies and technical performance envelopes as the HE360 Constellation, as well as communicate with the system's authorized ground stations.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | RF spectrum monitoring, SIGINT, Traffic monitoring |
| Operator: | HawkEye 360 |
| Contractors: | UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) (bus); Hawkeye 360 (payload) |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | CubeSat (8U) |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kestrel 0A | 2025-138D | 26.06.2025 | OnS LC-1A | Electron KS | with Hawk 12A, 12B, 12C | |
| Kestrel 0B | - | 2026 | OnS LC-1 | Electron KS | with Hawk 13A, 13B, 13C |
Launch Sites:
- OnS = Onenui Station, Mahia, Wairoa, North Island, New Zealand
