Space Brief 5 Sep 2025
Today's Space Brief delves into key military developments in space, including the Space Force's pioneering officer training and innovative small satellite communication strategies.
INFLATESAIL (42770)
COSPAR: 2017-036F | Alt Name: InflateSail
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 23, 2017
Launch Site
SRILR
Launch Pad
FLP
Launch Vehicle
PSLV-XL
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
42770
International Designator
2017-036F
Decay Date
9/3/2017
Basic Satellite Info
Name
INFLATESAIL
Alternative Name
InflateSail
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
SURREY
Country
United Kingdom
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
INFLATESAIL (also known as InflateSail) is a CubeSat 3U satellite operated by SURREY and was launched on June 23, 2017, from the SRILR launch site using the PSLV-XL launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 0.3 meters in length with a diameter of 0.1 meters and spans 3 meters due to its sail deployment. It has a dry mass of 4 kilograms and was designed for a technology mission. INFLATESAIL is powered by solar cells and batteries, and its shape consists of a box with an attached sail. The satellite's operational lifetime was expected to be around three months.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.1
Span
3
Dry Mass
4
Launch Mass
4
Shape
Box+Sail
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
QB50-GB06
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
SURREY
Life Expectancy
3 months
Bus
Cubesat 3U
Configuration
CubeSat (3U)
Motor
None
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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