US-based space technology provider Deep Space Industries and Canada’s University of Toronto Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) have been selected to build HawkEye 360’s Pathfinder small satellite constellation.

A subsidiary of Allied Minds, HawkEye 360 is creating a space-based radio frequency (RF) mapping and analytics system to be used by commercial enterprises and governments.

The system includes a constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) to create reports on wireless signals, which can be used to track and observe global transportation networks, help with emergencies, as well as other data analytics services.

"Deep Space Industries and SFL are important strategic partners to help us accelerate the capabilities and applications of small satellite technology."

Originally developed by Dr Charles Clancy and Dr Bob McGwier at Virginia Tech’s Hume Center for National Security and Technology, HawkEye 360 data-processing technology will use space-based detection of radio signals to locate and characterise wireless spectrum information from Earth.

The Pathfinder cluster is scheduled for launch and testing by late next year.

Once fully launched, the system will be world’s first privately funded constellation of small LEO satellites, which is less than 600km from the Earth’s surface.

For government regulators, telecommunications companies and satellite broadcasters, HawkEye 360 will be able to observe RF spectrum usage to locate areas of interference and allocated-but-unused bandwidth.

HawkEye 360 CEO John Serafini said: "Deep Space Industries and SFL are important strategic partners to help us accelerate the capabilities and applications of small satellite technology.

"Selecting and securing our satellite development partners to manufacture and launch the constellation is an important step forward as it will result soon in on-orbit capabilities that will be available to our government and commercial customers."