Space Brief 31 Jul 2025
Today's Space Brief brings updates on the U.S. Space Force's upcoming missions, in-space technology strategies, the challenges faced by new launchers, and advancements in satellite communication.
PROPCUBE 1 (FLORA) (40976)
COSPAR: 2015-058N | Alt Name: PropCube Flora
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 8, 2015
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3E
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 401
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
40976
International Designator
2015-058N
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:26:42 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
64.77°
Right Ascension
242.55°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
54.33°
Period
96.69 min
Mean Motion
14.89 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
PROPCUBE 1 (FLORA)
Alternative Name
PropCube Flora
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
USNPS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 40976U 15058N 26185.18521724 .00002296 00000-0 22111-3 0 9996
2 40976 64.7729 242.5524 0131703 54.3298 306.9989 14.89291806118791
Source: Celestrak
Summary
PROPCUBE 1 (FLORA), also known as PropCube Flora, is a CubeSat (1U) technology demonstration satellite owned by USNPS and manufactured by TYVAK. Launched on October 8, 2015, from AFWTR Launch Site at SLC3E using the Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, this small satellite has dimensions of 0.1 meters in length, diameter, and span, with a dry mass of 1 kg and a launch mass of 1 kg. The satellite is powered by solar cells and batteries and operates in space for technology demonstration purposes. It has a box shape but lacks detailed information on its equipment, major events, or specific frequencies used for communication.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.1
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.1
Dry Mass
1
Launch Mass
1
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
PropCube-3
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
TYVAK
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Cubesat 1U
Configuration
CubeSat (1U)
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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