Space Brief 3 Oct 2025
Today's Space Brief delves into military satellite advancements and significant contract awards for space platforms, alongside pivotal European missile warning systems.
FLOCK 4Q-25 (58303)
COSPAR: 2023-174AZ | Alt Name: Flock 4q-25
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
58303
International Designator
2023-174AZ
Epoch
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:32:31 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
97.36°
Right Ascension
271.94°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
274.82°
Period
88.52 min
Mean Motion
16.27 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
FLOCK 4Q-25
Alternative Name
Flock 4q-25
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
PLAN
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 58303U 23174AZ 26175.56425065 .05358312 24493-5 15889-2 0 9997
2 58303 97.3556 271.9367 0015569 274.8178 85.1337 16.26827539147260
Source: Celestrak
Summary
FLOCK 4Q-25 is a CubeSat (3U) satellite manufactured by PLAN and owned by the same entity. It was launched on November 11, 2023, from AFWTR SLC4E using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The satellite measures 0.3 meters in length with a diameter of 0.1 meters and spans 0.3 meters. Its dry mass is 5.7 kilograms, which is also its launch mass. FLOCK 4Q-25 carries the Dove 24e1 payload equipped with PS0, PS1 or PS2 imaging equipment for technology demonstration purposes. It has solar cells and batteries as its power source and a box-shaped design with two panels. The satellite's expected operational lifetime ranges from about one year in an ISS orbit to 2-3 years in Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.3
Dry Mass
5.7
Launch Mass
5.7
Shape
Box+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Dove 24e1
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
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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