PICODRAGON (39413)

COSPAR: 1998-067DB | Alt Name: PicoDragon
DECAYED

Image
PICODRAGON Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

November 20, 1998

Launch Pad

Y2

Launch Vehicle

H-IIB

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

39413

International Designator

1998-067DB

Decay Date

2/28/2014

Basic Satellite Info

Name

PICODRAGON

Alternative Name

PicoDragon

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

VNSC

Country

Vietnam

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
PICODRAGON (also known as PicoDragon) is a 1U CubeSat satellite manufactured by VNSC and was launched on November 20, 1998, from the TYMSC launch site using the H-IIB launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 0.1 meters in length, diameter, and span with a dry mass of 1 kg and carries a camera as its primary equipment. Its purpose is for technology demonstration, and it relies on solar cells and batteries for power supply. Launched from Y2 pad, the spacecraft was stabilized by November 19, 2013, and had an expected lifetime of three months. The satellite has a box shape with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.053 square meters and is owned by VNSC.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.1

Diameter

0.1

Span

0.1

Dry Mass

1

Launch Mass

1

Shape

Box

Radar Cross Section

0.053

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

PicoDragon

Purpose

Technology

Mission

Technology

Manufacturer

VNSC

Life Expectancy

3 months

Bus

Cubesat 1U

Configuration

CubeSat (1U)

Motor

None

Equipment

Camera

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Falcon 9 Launches 25 Starlink Satellites After Weather Delays | KeepTrack X Report

Falcon 9 Launches 25 Starlink Satellites After Weather Delays | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX launches 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg after multiple weather delays. 20th Falcon 9 mission of 2026 features second-ever booster landing near The Bahamas.

Space Force Eyes Asteroid Mining, Clashes With Congress on R-GPS | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force Eyes Asteroid Mining, Clashes With Congress on R-GPS | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force sees strategic value in asteroid mining. Congress pushes back on R-GPS phase-out over jamming risks. BlackSky expands Gen 3 defense contracts.

Space Brief 28 Feb 2025

Space Brief 28 Feb 2025

Today's brief covers defense industry dynamics, advancements in quantum sensor technology, and geopolitical challenges impacting military space operations.

X Report 24 May 2025

X Report 24 May 2025

SpaceX experiences a setback with Starship Flight 8 while continuing its Starlink deployment efforts with a successful launch from California.

First Nuclear-Powered Commercial Satellite Flies on Transporter-17 | KeepTrack X Report

First Nuclear-Powered Commercial Satellite Flies on Transporter-17 | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's Transporter-17 rideshare carried 81 payloads including history's first nuclear-powered commercial satellite on July 7.

Space Brief 12 Jun 2025

Space Brief 12 Jun 2025

Today's Space Brief covers major developments including the public debut of Voyager Technologies, advancements in defense by Sierra Space, and Pentagon's mega-constellation challenges. Also featured are new software selections by the Space Force and legislative actions on acquisition pilots.

Space Brief 7 Jul 2025

Space Brief 7 Jul 2025

Today's key topics include the halting of the U.S. Air Force's rocket landing pad plans, the Space Force's shift to a flexible satellite strategy, delays in Australia's Eris 1 rocket launch, and the controversial cut of satellite sea-ice data to climate scientists.

Mike Melvill, 124 Meters, and the Morning Space Went Private

Mike Melvill, 124 Meters, and the Morning Space Went Private

On 21 June 2004, a 63-year-old test pilot rode a homebuilt rocket plane to 100,124 meters above the Mojave Desert, clearing the edge of space by about the length of a city block. He came down the first private astronaut in history, holding a sign that read 'SpaceShipOne, GovernmentZero.'