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SpaceX and NASA swap Crew Dragon for Crew-10 mission; exciting 'space jellyfish' phenomena from recent launch.
FIREFLY (39404)
COSPAR: 2013-064AA | Alt Name: Firefly
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 20, 2013
Launch Site
WLPIS
Launch Pad
Pad 0B
Launch Vehicle
Minotaur I
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
39404
International Designator
2013-064AA
Decay Date
11/1/2017
Basic Satellite Info
Name
FIREFLY
Alternative Name
Firefly
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
NSF/GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The FIREFLY satellite, also known as Firefly, is a 3U CubeSat manufactured by HAWK for NSF/GSFC and was launched on November 20, 2013, from WLPIS Pad 0B using the Minotaur I launch vehicle. The satellite measures 0.3 meters in length with a diameter of 0.1 meters and has a span of 1.6 meters due to its antennae. It weighs 5 kilograms both at launch and dry mass. FIREFLY is equipped with solar cells and batteries for power generation, and it is designed for Magnetospheric Research. The satellite's shape is described as a box with antennae, and it has a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.072 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.1
Span
1.6
Dry Mass
5
Launch Mass
5
Shape
Box+antennae
Radar Cross Section
0.072
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NSF Firefly
Purpose
Magnetospheric Research
Mission
Magnetospheric Research
Manufacturer
HAWK
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Cubesat 3U
Configuration
CubeSat (3U)
Motor
None
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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