Cluster 6 satellites are able to determine the locations of ‘jamming’ of GPS and AIS signals
HawkEye 360 announced the launch of three Cluster 6 satellites into orbit. They will be used to monitor the radio frequency signals of EW devices at sea and on land.
According to Breaking Defense, the company plans to use the Electron rocket produced by Rocket Labs to launch satellites into space. Currently, there are five clusters in Earth orbit, each of which consists of three satellites. The new satellites belong to the radio frequency class. Their launch will allow HawkEye 360 to increase its coverage area. RF data will be collected by the company every hour.
Radio-frequency geolocation satellites are designed to detect sources of radio radiation on Earth. They can be used to determine the locations of ‘jamming’ of GPS and AIS signals. HawkEye 360 representative Rob Reinhart noted that the Cluster 6 satellites have a wider frequency range. Thanks to this, the company’s capabilities in terms of tracking artificially created obstacles will expand.
Reinhar added that after the launch of three satellites, the group will increase to 18 devices. The company plans to launch nine more satellites by mid-2023. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will be used to launch Cluster 7 into space.
At the beginning of autumn, the US military and space intelligence concluded a government contract with the company HawkEye 360 for 300,000 USD. According to the agreements, the company will engage in the mapping of radio frequency emitters.
