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

19610

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: 102.91 minutes

Inclination: 82.0387 deg

SMA: 7274.414 km

Apoapsis: 1266.181 km

Periapsis: 526.378 km

RAAN: 269.34 deg

Eccentricy: 0.0508496

Argument of periapsis: 256.3791 deg

Mean anomaly: 98.028 deg

Mean motion: 13.99283453 rev/day

Mean motion (dot): 0.00000796 rev/day2

B* drag term: 0.00017319 1/REarth

Two-line elements (TLE)

Creation date: July 5, 2025, 5:45 p.m.

Reference frame: TEME

Reference center: EARTH

Epoch: July 5, 2025, 6:23 a.m. UTC

TLE line 0: 0 BLACK ARROW R/B

TLE line 1: 1 05581U 71093B 25186.26655804 .00000796 00000-0 17319-3 0 9993

TLE line 2: 2 05581 82.0387 269.3400 0508496 256.3791 98.0280 13.99283453698061

Live tracking on map

Real-time ground track for satellite BLACK ARROW R/B.

In-orbit conjunctions

There are no conjunctions computed for BLACK ARROW R/B, at the moment. Check back to stay up to date, as we update our databases every day.

Go to all conjunctions

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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