Key statistics
Satellite PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW) at a glance.
Uptime
19551
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: 102.836 minutes
Inclination: 82.0366 deg
SMA: 7270.948 km
Apoapsis: 1260.363 km
Periapsis: 525.262 km
RAAN: 286.2288 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0505505
Argument of periapsis: 308.4052 deg
Mean anomaly: 47.2727 deg
Mean motion: 14.00284385 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000642 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00013739 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: May 8, 2025, 3:01 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: May 7, 2025, 8:36 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 PROSPERO (BLACK ARROW)
TLE line 1: 1 05580U 71093A 25127.85878002 .00000642 00000-0 13739-3 0 9991
TLE line 2: 2 05580 82.0366 286.2288 0505505 308.4052 47.2727 14.00284385691777
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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