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Kestrel Eye 1 (Kestrel Eye Block 1)

Kestrel Eye 1 (Kestrel Eye Block 1)
[US Army]

The US Army Space Missile Defense Command is developing Kestrel Eye as an electro-optical nanosatellite-class imagery satellite that will be tasked by the tactical ground component Warfighter. Capable of producing 1.5 meter resolution imagery, Kestrel Eye’s data will be downlinked directly to the same Warfighter via a data relay network that is also accessible by other Warfighters in theater without any continental United States (CONUS) relay or data filtering.

The intent is to demonstrate a tactical space-based imagery nanosat that could be proliferated in large numbers to provide a persistent capability to ground forces. The primary objective of the demonstration will be to task the satellite to take a picture of a designated ground object of interest and have that image relayed back to the ground Warfighter during the same satellite pass (i.e., within an approximately 10-minute tasking-to-product cycle).

Up to 30 Kestrel Eye satellites are considered to be launched, if the concept proves to be viable.

The Kestrel Eye Block 1 proof of concept pathfinder was replaced with two improved Block 2 satellites, Kestrel Eye 2A (Kestrel Eye Block 2A) and Kestrel Eye 2M (Kestrel Eye Block 2M). While Kestrel Eye Block 1 will not be launched, the optical instrument may be incorporated into an other satellite.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Reconnaissance, electro-optical
Operator: US Army
Contractors:
Equipment:
Configuration:
Propulsion:
Power: Solar cells, batteries
Lifetime:
Mass:
Orbit:
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Kestrel Eye 1 - cancelled with ?

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