The Day America's Spy Satellites Gained New Eyes
Sixty-three years ago, a Thor-Agena rocket launched the first dual-camera reconnaissance satellite, revolutionizing space-based intelligence while hiding behind the final use of a famous cover name
HAWK-7B (56193)
COSPAR: 2023-054R | Alt Name: Hawk 7B
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
56193
International Designator
2023-054R
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:18:27 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
97.27°
Right Ascension
85.26°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
6.46°
Period
94.26 min
Mean Motion
15.28 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
HAWK-7B
Alternative Name
Hawk 7B
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
HE360
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 56193U 23054R 26200.47115500 .00002864 00000+0 10863-3 0 9991
2 56193 97.2680 85.2625 0000863 6.4627 353.6624 15.27656413181951
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The HAWK-7B satellite, also known as Hawk 7B, was manufactured by UTIAS and owned by HE360. It has a Defiant bus configuration named "Hawk2G," measuring 0.45 meters in length with a diameter of 0.3 meters and a span of 1 meter. The dry mass is 30 kg while the launch mass was 31 kg, and it was launched on April 15, 2023, from AFWTR at SLC4E using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Its mission involves RF spectrum monitoring, SIGINT (Signals Intelligence), and traffic monitoring, powered by solar cells and batteries. The satellite is designed to operate for approximately three years with its shape described as "Box + 2 pan."
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.45
Diameter
0.3
Span
1
Dry Mass
30
Launch Mass
31
Shape
Box + 2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Hawk 7B
Purpose
RF spectrum monitoring, SIGINT, Traffic monitoring
Mission
RF spectrum monitoring, SIGINT, Traffic monitoring
Manufacturer
UTIAS
Life Expectancy
3 years
Bus
Hawk2G
Configuration
Defiant bus
Motor
FEES or water thrusters (#2-6); water thrusters (#7-...)
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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