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PHOTON-04 (56959)
COSPAR: 2023-084AD | Alt Name: W-1
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
56959
International Designator
2023-084AD
Decay Date
2/21/2024
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
PHOTON-04
Alternative Name
W-1
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
VARDA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
PHOTON-04 (also known as W-1) is a satellite operated by VARDA and manufactured by RLABLB, featuring the RL Pioneer bus configuration. Launched on June 12, 2023, from AFWTR SLC4E using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, it has dimensions of 1 meter in length with a diameter and span of 1.4 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 55 kg, and its total launch mass was 275 kg. Equipped with solar arrays and batteries for power, PHOTON-04 carries an unspecified reentry capsule as part of its payload and is designed to support technology development, manufacturing processes, and micro-gravity studies over a mission lifetime of approximately three months. Its shape is described as a truncated cone, and it does not have specific details listed for its attitude control or transmitter frequencies.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1
Diameter
1.4
Span
1.4
Dry Mass
55
Launch Mass
275
Shape
Trunc cone
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Pioneer
Purpose
Technology, manufacturing, micro-gravity
Mission
Technology, manufacturing, micro-gravity
Manufacturer
RLABLB
Life Expectancy
3 months
Bus
RL Pioneer
Configuration
Pioneer (Photon-IP) bus
Motor
HyperC
Equipment
Reentry capsule
Power System
Solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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