BLACK ARROW R/B

Satellite information

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Satellite Type and Status

ROCKET BODYIN ORBIT

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.

Launch to space Black Arrow | Prospero
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

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Latest news about this satellite

News about space launch
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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