HawkEye 360's ISA Wins SBIR Contract for GEO Radar-Warning Sensor
Event summary
- HawkEye 360's subsidiary ISA selected by SpaceRCO for SBIR Direct-to-Phase II award to develop a radar-warning sensor for GEO satellites.
- Contract focuses on detecting and characterizing emissions from ground-based radars tracking satellites.
- ISA's Generation 3 Payload Processor, validated via the ENCORE payload on the ISS, will be leveraged for this project.
- Program includes design maturation, testing, validation, and planning for production transition.
The big picture
HawkEye 360's win underscores the growing importance of space-based radar detection as orbital environments become more contested. The contract aligns with broader U.S. Space Force initiatives to enhance threat awareness amid increasing congestion in geosynchronous orbits. ISA's proven payload designs and signal-processing capabilities position HawkEye 360 as a key player in advancing military satellite surveillance technologies.
What we're watching
- Technical Execution
- How ISA's signal-processing expertise translates into operational success for GEO radar-warning sensors.
- Market Expansion
- Whether the technology can be successfully adapted for commercial space traffic monitoring and satellite diagnostics.
- Regulatory Dynamics
- The pace at which U.S. Space Force integrates new sensing capabilities into its architectures.