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BIRD

retired
Earth ObservationLEOCOSPAR 2001-049CLaunched 10/22/2001
Admin Edit
Mission & Launch
Launch Mission
TES Mission
Launch Vehicle
PSLV C
Launch Date
10/22/2001
Last Contact
2/22/2004
Orbit & Mass
Orbit Class
LEO
Altitude
565 km
Inclination
97.78 deg
Dry Mass
92 kg
Total Mass
92 kg
Payload Classification
Mission Type
Earth Observation
Payload Category
IMG
Payload Class
C
Organizations
Operator
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Manufacturer
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Registry
COSPAR ID
2001-049C
UN Registration
ST/SG/SER.E/430
Track
Mentions
53
All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.
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INNOSPACE’s launch vehicle lineup includes SEBIT, BLACK BIRD, and the HANBIT series of satellite launch vehicles.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.5Jul 6, 2026INNOSPACE signs launch site agreement with ALADA for SEBIT test flight in Brazil
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Black Bird-R’s pathfinder has been completed and fitted with four movable aerodynamic control surfaces on the first stage.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space plans to conduct a static fire campaign with Black Bird-R’s second stage using a third-party developed liquid methane and liquid oxygen engine.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space plans wind tunnel tests to study Black Bird-R’s aerodynamic profile.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.5May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Black Bird-R’s reusable first stage is set to be powered by thirteen engines, each generating 70 tons of thrust.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space has signed a cooperation agreement to produce Black Bird-R’s electrical systems.

RelationshipsValue 4.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Black Bird-R is planned to be about 70 meters tall and 3.8 meters in diameter.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.6May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space believes Black Bird-R’s recovery scheme will increase payload margins and reduce costs compared with conventional upright landings.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.4May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Black Bird-R’s second stage is set to use one vacuum-optimized engine generating around 80 tons of thrust.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space plans to test Black Bird-R’s first-stage bellyflop landing profile.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.8May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Black Bird-R’s first-stage booster recovery scheme uses four aerodynamic surfaces during unpowered descent, a three-engine main landing burn, and six small thrusters for final touchdown.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.6May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space revealed several propellant tanks and structures for a Black Bird-R test vehicle in late January.

CapabilityPlanGeneralValue 3.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space is exploring a reusable second stage for Black Bird-R with a similar landing scheme.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Production efforts for Black Bird-R have been underway since October 2025.

GrowthPlanValue 2.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space has not identified a date for Black Bird-R’s first flight.

PlanValue 2.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space has placed a significant order for cabling that will be installed across Black Bird-R for data and power.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 3.3May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Black Bird-R is planned to use a 5.2-meter-diameter fairing and burn liquid methane and liquid oxygen in two stages.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space completed its Pre-A1, Pre-A2, and Pre-A3 funding rounds to raise an undisclosed amount of capital for development of the partially reusable Black Bird-R launch vehicle.

FinancialCapabilityPlanValue 4.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

The four movable aerodynamic control surfaces on Black Bird-R’s pathfinder have undergone early movement tests.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.8May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

Nayuta Space has signaled that several enabling tests for Black Bird-R will be completed in 2026.

PlanGrowthValue 3.0May 9, 2026Nayuta Space Is Actually Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters