Flock-1

Flock-1
Manufacturer Planet Labs
Country of origin United States
Operator Planet Labs
Applications Earth imaging
Specifications
Spacecraft type 3U CubeSat
Launch mass 5 kilograms (11 lb)
Dimensions 30 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm
(11.8 in × 3.9 in × 3.9 in)
Regime Low Earth
Production
Status In production
Launched 93
Retired 31+
Lost 26
First launch Flock-1 1-28
9 January 2014
Related spacecraft
Derived from Dove

Flock 1 is a US CubeSat satellite constellation launched on 9 January 2014. The satellite is built in 3U CubeSat bus, and each constellation consist of 28 satellites. All instruments are powered by solar cells mounted on the spacecraft body and triple-folded wings, providing approximately 20 W maximal power.

Launch

Flock 1 constellation was launched from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0, US, on 9 January 2014 by a Antares 120 rocket. The satellites were deployed from ISS from 11 February, 2014 to 28 February, 2014.[1]

Another Flock start in January 2015 on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

Mission

The satellite is intended for commercial Earth observation service. For this purpose, each satellite is equipped with a camera capable of 3-to-5-meter (9.8 to 16.4 ft) ground resolution. Details of intended service by individual satellites were never released publicly and are largely unknown.

References

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