Flock-1
Flock 1 is a US CubeSat satellite constellation launched on 9 January 2014. The satellite is built in a 3U CubeSat bus, and each constellation consists of 28 satellites. All instruments are powered by solar cells mounted on the spacecraft body, along with triple-folded wings, providing approximately 20 W at maximal power.
| Manufacturer | Planet Labs |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Operator | Planet Labs |
| Applications | Earth imaging |
| Specifications | |
| Spacecraft type | 3U CubeSat |
| Launch mass | 5 kilograms (11 lb) |
| Dimensions | 30 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm (11.8 in × 3.9 in × 3.9 in) |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Production | |
| Status | In production |
| Launched | 93 |
| Retired | 31+ |
| Lost | 26 |
| Maiden launch | Flock-1 1-28 9 January 2014 |
| Related spacecraft | |
| Derived from | Dove |
Launch
Flock 1 constellation was launched from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0, US, on 9 January 2014 by an Antares 120 rocket. The satellites were deployed from the ISS from 11 February 2014 to 28 February 2014.[1]
Another Flock start in January 2015 on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
Mission
The satellite is intended for commercial Earth observation service. For this purpose, each satellite is equipped with a camera capable of 3-to-5-meter (9.8 to 16.4 ft) ground resolution. Details of intended service by individual satellites were never released publicly and are largely unknown.