FLOCK 3R-16 (43735)

COSPAR: 2018-096S | Alt Name: Flock 3r-16

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

November 29, 2018

Launch Site

SRILR

Launch Pad

FLP

Launch Vehicle

PSLV

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

43735

International Designator

2018-096S

Decay Date

12/12/2022

Basic Satellite Info

Name

FLOCK 3R-16

Alternative Name

Flock 3r-16

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

PLAN

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

FLOCK 3R-16, also known as Flock 3r-16, is a CubeSat (3U) technology satellite manufactured by PLAN and launched on November 29, 2018, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre using a PSLV launch vehicle. The satellite measures 0.3 meters in length with a diameter of 0.1 meters and has a span of 0.3 meters. It weighs 4.7 kilograms both at launch and dry mass. Equipped with PS0, PS1 or PS2 imaging payloads and Dove 2152 as its payload, the satellite is powered by solar cells and batteries. Its shape consists of a box with two panels. The mission's purpose is technology demonstration, and it was launched into an orbit where it has a lifetime of approximately one year in ISS orbit and two to three years in Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

Physical Characteristics

Length

0.3

Diameter

0.1

Span

0.3

Dry Mass

4.7

Launch Mass

4.7

Shape

Box+2 pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Dove 2152

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

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Artemis 2 Delayed by Upper Stage Issue, Falcon 9 Hits 33rd Flight | KeepTrack Space Brief

NASA delays Artemis 2 for SLS upper stage fix and pad rollback. SpaceX Falcon 9 booster shatters reuse record with 33rd flight. Tory Bruno joins Blue Origin for defense work.

Blue Origin Announces 5,400-Satellite Constellation to Rival Starlink | KeepTrack X Report

Blue Origin reveals plans for 5,400+ satellite constellation targeting enterprise and government with 6 Tbps capacity. SpaceX launches first West Coast Starlink mission of 2026 from Vandenberg.

Musk Outlines Starship Tower Catch Plan, February Ends With 83 Sats | KeepTrack X Report

Elon Musk confirms Starship V3 tower catch attempt plans with SN1 headed for ground tests. SpaceX wraps February with 83 Starlink satellites across three launches. 9,826 sats on orbit.

China's Rocket Factory Finds a Second Gear

In 2024, China launched 68 orbital missions. In 2025, the number jumped to 97. In 2026, state media and Western analysts agree the target is 140 or more. Most of that growth is being driven by two state-backed mega-constellations, a half-dozen private launch companies hitting stride, and a deliberate national pivot toward commercial space. Beijing is no longer trying to catch SpaceX. It is trying to build an industrial base that outlasts one.

Starlink Constellation Size Nears 10,000, X Report 16 Mar 2026

Starlink constellation size in March 2026: 9,996 satellites in orbit and 9,986 working from 11,504 launched, as SpaceX deorbits legacy V1.0 hardware.

X Report 23 May 2025

The FAA has approved Starship Flight 9, paving the way for an upcoming test launch, while SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is set to undock from the ISS after weather delays.

Space Brief 4 Nov 2024

China's Tiangong space station completes crew rotation, Rocket Lab prepares for confidential launch, and Japan successfully launches military satellite with its H3 rocket.

Kulasekarapattinam SSLV Launch Complex

India's second spaceport solves a geometry problem. How ISRO is building a dedicated small satellite facility that eliminates the costly dogleg maneuvers plaguing polar launches from Sriharikota.