Key statistics
Satellite BLACK ARROW R/B at a glance.
Uptime
19663
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: 102.902 minutes
Inclination: 82.0366 deg
SMA: 7274.05 km
Apoapsis: 1267.509 km
Periapsis: 524.322 km
RAAN: 222.4344 deg
Eccentricy: 0.05108483
Argument of periapsis: 103.1604 deg
Mean anomaly: 262.7065 deg
Mean motion: 13.99388588 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00001461 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00031222496 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Aug. 28, 2025, 2:53 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Aug. 27, 2025, 9:30 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 BLACK ARROW R/B
TLE line 1: 1 05581U 71093B 25239.89615325 .00001461 00000-0 31222-3 0 9994
TLE line 2: 2 05581 82.0366 222.4344 0510848 103.1604 262.7065 13.99388588705561
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 conjunctionsAssociated 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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