Key statistics
Satellite PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW) at a glance.
Uptime
19611
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.0
Per day
Orbit
LEO
Low Earth Orbit
Inclination
82.0
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW).
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW)
International designator: 1971-093A
Object number (NORAD): 5580
Object ID (CCSDS): 5580
Country: UNITED KINGDOM (UK)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: MEDIUM
Orbital parameters
Period: 102.825 minutes
Inclination: 82.0373 deg
SMA: 7270.42 km
Apoapsis: 1260.939 km
Periapsis: 523.63 km
RAAN: 233.9 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0507061
Argument of periapsis: 137.2759 deg
Mean anomaly: 226.9023 deg
Mean motion: 14.00436857 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.0000105 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00022075 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: July 6, 2025, 6:05 p.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: July 6, 2025, 2:14 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW)
TLE line 1: 1 05580U 71093A 25187.59351418 .00001050 00000-0 22075-3 0 9992
TLE line 2: 2 05580 82.0373 233.9000 0507061 137.2759 226.9023 14.00436857700136
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW).
In-orbit conjunctions
There are no conjunctions computed for PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW), at the moment. Check back to stay up to date, as we update our databases every day.
Go to all conjunctionsAssociated space launch
British scientific satellite used to demonstrate technologies needed for communication satellites.
PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW) was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Black Arrow | Prospero’, on board a Black Arrow space rocket.
The launch took place on Oct. 28, 1971, 4:09 a.m. from Launch Area 5B.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Black Arrow | Prospero
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: Oct. 28, 1971, 4:09 a.m. UTC
Rocket: Black Arrow
Launch pad: Launch Area 5B
Location: RAAF Woomera Range Complex
...
Latest news about this satellite
On the 50th anniversary of Black Arrow, British space industry is on the verge of a return
Fifty years ago, a small rocket lifted off from the Australian Outback on a mission of contradictions. While the launch of Black Arrow R3 with the Prospero satellite aboard would be Britain’s first successful satellite launch, it also marked the end of th...
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