Hawkeye 360 Seeking IB OK for LEO Microsatellite Constellation

Space-based mapping company Hawkeye 360 hopes to put up a 60- to 80-microsatellite non-geostationary low earth orbit constellation, with the first batch of three going up in Q4, said an FCC International Bureau application posted Thursday. It said it expects to launch between 165 and 220 satellites over the 15 years of the requested license term, orbiting at a nominal altitude of 575 kilometers. It said the satellites would have a design life of three years each, with the constellation being replenished as others reach their end of life. It said the constellation would be targeting such potential applications as emergency response support, spectrum mapping, ionospheric monitoring, maritime domain awareness and spectrum interference and piracy detection.