Space Brief 26 Aug 2025
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PHOENIX (42706)
COSPAR: 1998-067LP | Alt Name: Phoenix
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 20, 1998
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC41
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 401
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
42706
International Designator
1998-067LP
Decay Date
5/8/2019
Basic Satellite Info
Name
PHOENIX
Alternative Name
Phoenix
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
NCKU
Country
Taiwan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The PHOENIX satellite, also known as Phoenix, is identified by NORAD CAT ID 42706 and OBJECT ID 1998-067LP. It was launched on November 20, 1998, from the Tianshui Municipal Sports Center (TYMSC) launch site using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle from SLC41. PHOENIX is a CubeSat (2U) configuration manufactured by NCKU and has dimensions of 0.2 meters in length, 0.1 meters in diameter, and spans 0.2 meters across. Its dry mass is 2 kilograms, the same as its launch mass.
The satellite's mission encompasses education, amateur radio communication, and technology demonstration. It carries a payload named QB50-TW01 and is equipped with INMS, thermistors, and solar EUV sensors for its operations. PHOENIX uses solar cells and batteries for power generation and has a box shape. Its primary owner and manufacturer are NCKU.
PHOENIX was expected to have a short lifetime of 3 months since its launch. It became stable on May 17, 2017. The satellite does not feature an ADCS or RCS system and lacks motor functionality. No specific transmitter frequencies, major events, material composition, constellation name, related satellites, or sources are listed for PHOENIX.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.2
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.2
Dry Mass
2
Launch Mass
2
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
QB50-TW01
Purpose
Education, amateur radio communication, technology
Mission
Education, amateur radio communication, technology
Manufacturer
NCKU
Life Expectancy
3 months
Bus
Cubesat 2U
Configuration
CubeSat (2U)
Motor
None
Equipment
INMS, Thermistors, Solar EUV sensors
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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