Key statistics
Satellite BLACK ARROW R/B 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 BLACK ARROW R/B.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: BLACK ARROW R/B
International designator: 1971-093B
Object number (NORAD): 5581
Object ID (CCSDS): 5581
Country: UNITED KINGDOM (UK)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: MEDIUM
Orbital parameters
Period: 102.939 minutes
Inclination: 82.0437 deg
SMA: 7275.767 km
Apoapsis: 1269.085 km
Periapsis: 526.178 km
RAAN: 5.8683 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0510535
Argument of periapsis: 211.6794 deg
Mean anomaly: 145.2705 deg
Mean motion: 13.98893342 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00002442 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.0005368 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: March 16, 2025, 10:46 p.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: March 16, 2025, 8:26 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 BLACK ARROW R/B
TLE line 1: 1 5581U 71093B 25075.85154506 .00002442 00000-0 53680-3 0 9999
TLE line 2: 2 5581 82.0437 5.8683 0510535 211.6794 145.2705 13.98893342682992
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite BLACK ARROW R/B.
Associated space launch
British scientific satellite used to demonstrate technologies needed for communication satellites.
BLACK ARROW R/B 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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