HawkEye 360 has successfully demonstrated the use of its radio frequency sensing satellites to monitor orbital assets. The project was conducted under a Phase II SBIR contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory, valued at approximately $1.2 million, which was awarded in 2024.
The company developed specialized processing techniques and algorithms to detect, identify, and characterize RF signals emitted by satellites in LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits. This approach allows for the identification of specific satellite behaviors, such as communication patterns and operational changes.
The demonstration aimed to address limitations of ground-based sensors, which can be hindered by atmospheric effects or antenna directionality. By using space-based sensors, the company can access signal geometries that are otherwise difficult to observe from the surface.
HawkEye 360 integrated these capabilities into an automated processing pipeline to support Space Domain Awareness missions with minimal human intervention. The results suggest that commercial RF data can provide significant operational value for defense and civil space agencies.
