FLOCK 1-21 (39557)

COSPAR: 1998-067EA | Alt Name: Flock 1-21
DECAYED

Image
FLOCK 1-21 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

November 20, 1998

Launch Pad

Pad 0A

Launch Vehicle

Antares 120

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

39557

International Designator

1998-067EA

Decay Date

5/25/2014

Basic Satellite Info

Name

FLOCK 1-21

Alternative Name

Flock 1-21

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

PLABS

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
FLOCK 1-21 is a CubeSat (3U) satellite developed and owned by PLABS in the United States. It was launched on November 20, 1998, from the TYSMC launch site using the Antares 120 launch vehicle from Pad 0A. The satellite has dimensions of 0.3 meters in length, 0.1 meters in diameter, and a span of 0.3 meters. Its dry mass is 4.25 kg, which matches its launch mass. Equipped with PS0, PS1 or PS2 imaging payload as Dove 072B, the satellite's mission focuses on technology and it uses solar cells along with batteries for power supply. The satellite's shape is described as Box+2 pan, and its radar cross-section (RCS) value is 0.1074. It was stabilized by February 26, 2014, and has an expected operational lifetime of about one year in ISS orbit or two to three years in Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
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

0.1074

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Dove 072B

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.

X Report 20 Oct 2025

X Report 20 Oct 2025

SpaceX made significant strides with the successful launch of Starlink satellites and the approval for the redevelopment of SLC-6, reinforcing its foothold in commercial spaceflight.

SpaceX Targets 600th Falcon Booster Landing on Starlink 17-22 | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX Targets 600th Falcon Booster Landing on Starlink 17-22 | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX attempts its 600th Falcon 9 booster landing during the Starlink 17-22 mission, adding 25 satellites from Vandenberg SFB.

The Day America Reached Orbit

The Day America Reached Orbit

Sixty-three years ago, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, piloting Friendship 7 through three historic orbits that transformed the Space Race

Space Brief 27 Jan 2025

Space Brief 27 Jan 2025

Highlights include US military astronaut rescue drills, China's commercial involvement in lunar missions, ESA's budget proposals, global opposition to space advertising, and NASA lunar landers.

Space Brief 27 Oct 2025

Space Brief 27 Oct 2025

Today's space highlights include the US Space Force's advanced tracking contract, a milestone in SpaceX's Starlink program, and a new initiative to remove space debris.

Space Brief 11 Feb 2025

Space Brief 11 Feb 2025

Today's highlights include the debut of a new Chinese rocket, a successful Starlink launch, and concerns about Artemis 3. We also cover DoD developments and a notable SpaceX milestone.

SpaceX Starfall Reentry Capsule Debuts, X Report 23 Jun 2026

SpaceX Starfall Reentry Capsule Debuts, X Report 23 Jun 2026

SpaceX Starfall reentry capsule debuted June 23: the 2,100 kg disk launched on a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral to demo cargo return from orbit.

The Korean Optical Wide-field patroL-Network (OWL-Net)

The Korean Optical Wide-field patroL-Network (OWL-Net)

South Korea's sophisticated network of robotic telescopes provides critical space situational awareness while strengthening the nation's position in space security amid regional tensions