Flock-1
Flock-1 is a CubeSat satellite constellation launched on 9 January 2014. The satellite is built in a CubeSat bus, and each constellation consists of 28 satellites. All instruments are powered by solar cells mounted on the spacecraft body, along with triple-folded wings, providing approximately 20 watts at maximal power.
| Mission type | Earth imaging |
|---|---|
| Operator | Planet Labs |
| Website | www |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | CubeSat |
| Bus | Dove |
| Launch mass | 5 kg (11 lb) |
| Dimensions | 10 cm × 10 cm × 30 cm (3.9 in × 3.9 in × 11.8 in) (3U) |
| Power | 20 watts |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Inclination | 51.66° |
Launch
Flock-1 constellation was launched from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0, Wallops Island, on 9 January 2014 by an Antares 120 rocket. The satellites were deployed from the International Space Station (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 m (9.8 to 16.4 ft) ground resolution. Details of intended service by individual satellites were never released publicly and are largely unknown.
External links
- Flock-1 Archived 30 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine