Space Brief 7 Oct 2025
Explore the latest in satellite communications with Cubic's new terminals, strategic acquisitions by Firefly, China's IoT satellite achievements, and key military updates.
Launch Date
February 15, 2017
Launch Site
SRILR
Launch Pad
FLP
Launch Vehicle
PSLV-XL
NORAD ID
41962
International Designator
2017-008Q
Decay Date
11/16/2022
Name
FLOCK 3P-17
Alternative Name
Flock 3p-17
Type
Status
Owner
PLAN
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.3
Dry Mass
4.7
Launch Mass
4.7
Shape
Box+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
0.0754
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Dove 1023
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
PLAN
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
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Explore the latest in satellite communications with Cubic's new terminals, strategic acquisitions by Firefly, China's IoT satellite achievements, and key military updates.
Today's Space Brief covers significant events including a high-stakes missile defense program, recent Chinese satellite launches, military defense initiatives, and key profiles in defense leadership.
SpaceX launched NROL-179 from Vandenberg at 1:50 a.m. PDT June 19, carrying Starshield spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.
SpaceX achieves a significant milestone with its 250th Starlink mission, and Starlink eyes expansion into South Korea amid rising global demand for satellite internet. Meanwhile, Amazon's Project Kuiper launches its first operational mission, marking increased competition for Starlink.
SpaceX made headlines with back-to-back Falcon 9 launches from Florida, successfully deploying 29 additional Starlink satellites, further enhancing its extensive broadband network.
Today's briefing covers a new naming system by Space Force, China's space advances, drone defense at Cape Canaveral, and more military updates impacting space operations.
Understanding the high and low points of every orbit - from the International Space Station's careful dance with Earth's atmosphere to the extreme ellipses that take satellites to the edge of space and back.
On December 15, 1970, a battered Soviet probe accomplished something no spacecraft had done before - it survived landing on another world and lived to tell about it.