Key statistics
Satellite PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW) at a glance.
Uptime
19500
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: 102.857 minutes
Inclination: 82.042 deg
SMA: 7271.947 km
Apoapsis: 1263.801 km
Periapsis: 523.824 km
RAAN: 332.1645 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0508789
Argument of periapsis: 98.347 deg
Mean anomaly: 267.5694 deg
Mean motion: 13.99995625 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00003396 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00072974 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: March 16, 2025, 6:34 p.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: March 16, 2025, 9:49 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW)
TLE line 1: 1 05580U 71093A 25075.40930078 .00003396 00000-0 72974-3 0 9991
TLE line 2: 2 05580 82.0420 332.1645 0508789 98.3470 267.5694 13.99995625684430
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW).
Associated 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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