Signal Intelligence: HawkEye 360 Validates Orbital RF Sensing
HawkEye 360 has successfully demonstrated the use of terrestrial RF-sensing satellites to monitor and characterize signals from targets across LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits.
Data Validation: Orbital Signals
Virginia-based HawkEye 360 ($HAWK) has successfully expanded its Radio Frequency (RF) sensing capabilities beyond terrestrial targets, confirming it can now monitor assets in orbit. According to Payload, the company released a whitepaper detailing results from a ~$1.2M Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Phase II SBIR contract awarded in 2024.
Expanding the SDA Perimeter
Traditional Space Domain Awareness (SDA) relies heavily on ground-based telescopes and radar to track orbital positions. However, position data offers little insight into a satellite’s intent or status. HawkEye 360’s demonstration proved that space-based sensors can detect, identify, and characterize RF emissions from satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO).
As Todd Probert, HawkEye 360 COO, noted to Payload, space-based sensors bypass the atmospheric interference and antenna directionality issues that plague ground-based stations. The mission required distinct technical adjustments for different altitudes:
- GEO and MEO: Modified pointing techniques allowed sensors to capture signals from satellites operating at higher altitudes.
- LEO: New Concepts of Operations (CONOPs) were developed to manage high relative speeds and narrow collection windows.
Automated Analysis
To translate raw RF data into actionable intelligence, HawkEye 360 deployed proprietary processing algorithms designed to match detections to specific satellites while minimizing false positives. The company integrated this into an automated pipeline, reducing the need for human-in-the-loop oversight. This validation confirms that commercial RF sensing can effectively supplement Department of Defense and NASA SDA missions, providing critical insights into whether a target is active, communicating, or deviating from standard behavior.