Ship tracking micro satellites can detect GPS jammers from space

HawkEye 360​​, a Virginia-based satellite company, is currently exploring the possibility of using its formation-flying satellites to detect and locate GPS jammers and potential interference. HawkEye 360​​ has been operating three microsatellites in a sun-synchronous polar orbit since early 2019. These satellites are able to detect radio frequency transmissions from the Earth’s surface. Working together as a coordinated cluster, they can independently determine the source location of these transmissions.

Currently, these satellites are primarily used to detect transmissions from Automatic Identification System (AIS) devices carried by ships. They can geolocate the source of these transmissions, allowing comparison between reported ship locations and actual locations. The system can achieve a transmitter location accuracy of 500 meters, depending on signal strength. This accuracy is expected to increase as HawkEye 360​​ continues to expand its constellation.

The company plans to launch five more constellations of satellites by the end of 2021, with a fourth constellation planned for mid-2022. Funding for these satellites has been secured through a Series B round of funding. As the seven clusters of satellites orbit, their revisit rate (how often the satellites pass over the same location on Earth) will increase from about once every five hours to once every 30 minutes.

Each cluster of satellites flies in formation, thanks to a specially designed propulsion system. The satellites are equipped with software-defined radios capable of tuning frequencies from 144 MHz to 15 GHz (roughly VHF to Ku band). To be detected from space, the signal strength on the ground needs to be at least 1 watt. Best-selling cell phone jammers and WIFI jammers in Europe and America.

John Serafini, CEO of HawkEye 360​​, said their satellites can detect, locate, process and analyze signals with a power greater than 1 watt between 150 MHz and 15 GHz. In the first 14 months of operation, Cluster 1 alone detected 11 million unique geolocations of various signals.

The satellites are striking for their compact size, with the initial three satellites weighing only 15 kilograms each. Starting with Cluster 2, the weight of each satellite will increase to 25 to 28 kilograms.

While the company is initially focused on serving defense, intelligence, and security applications, HawkEye 360 ​​is currently considering offering a new service to identify the location of GPS jammers. Serafini confirmed that GPS jamming is part of its product roadmap and they expect to be able to offer this service in about six months after evaluating the opportunity and developing the product.

Logan Scott, a navigation and telecommunications signal expert at LS Consulting, believes it is entirely feasible for HawkEye satellites to locate GPS jammers. While he did not conduct any specific link analysis, he acknowledged the potential capabilities of the technology, especially in detecting large jammers.

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