Space Brief 30 Nov 2025
Today's highlights include Europe's record space budget for independence, Transporter-15's successful launch of 140 payloads, and the damage to the Baikonur pad affecting upcoming ISS missions.
FLOCK 1-17 (39555)
COSPAR: 1998-067DY | Alt Name: Flock 1-17
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 20, 1998
Launch Site
Launch Pad
Pad 0A
Launch Vehicle
Antares 120
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
39555
International Designator
1998-067DY
Decay Date
5/19/2014
Basic Satellite Info
Name
FLOCK 1-17
Alternative Name
Flock 1-17
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
PLABS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The satellite FLOCK 1-17 (OBJECT_ID: 1998-067DY) is a CubeSat 3U configuration manufactured by PLABS in the US for technology demonstration purposes. It has dimensions of 0.3 meters in length and diameter, with a span of 0.3 meters, and a dry mass of 4.25 kilograms. The satellite was launched on November 20, 1998, from TYMSC Pad 0A using an Antares 120 launch vehicle. Its primary payload is the Dove 074C with PS0, PS1 or PS2 imaging capabilities powered by solar cells and batteries. The satellite's design includes a Box+2 pan shape, a RCS of 0.0735, and it entered stable orbit on February 25, 2014. Its operational lifetime is estimated at around one year for ISS orbit and between two to three years for SSO (Sun-Synchronous Orbit).
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.3
Dry Mass
4.25
Launch Mass
4.25
Shape
Box+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
0.0735
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Dove 074C
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
PLABS
Life Expectancy
~ 1 year (ISS orbit); 2-3 years (SSO)
Bus
Cubesat 3U
Configuration
CubeSat (3U)
Motor
None (most); FEEP (#Flock-3p')
Equipment
PS0, PS1 or PS2 imaging payload
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 3 Mar 2025
Historic moon landing by Firefly Aerospace, Spanish Air and Space Force advances with new simulator, and spotlight on OneWeb's communication satellite.
Space Brief 15 Jan 2025
Focus on Varda's second mission launch, new U.S. Defense Department tool for satellite anomaly investigation, and a detailed Satellite Spotlight on CELESTIS 21/Varisat 1C.
X Report 15 Dec 2024
SpaceX faces a launch delay at Cape Canaveral and continues to advance Starship development.
Santa Maria Spaceport (Azores)
Europe's Atlantic outpost enters the launch business. How Portugal's first licensed spaceport in the Azores is preparing for suborbital flights in 2026 and positioning to receive ESA's Space Rider in 2028.
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 24 Jun 2025
Today's top space events include a new military satellite launch by York Space, advancements in phased array antennas by Space Force, and the debut of Denmark's Arctic satellite. Also covered are developments in Starlink's services in Vietnam.
Artemis 2 Returns to Pad, Targets April 1 Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA's SLS and Orion spacecraft rolled back to Launch Complex 39B, targeting April 1 for first crewed lunar flyby with four astronauts aboard.