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Flock-1

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Flock-1
Mission typeEarth imaging
OperatorPlanet Labs
Websitewww.planet.com/flock1/
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeCubeSat
BusDove
Launch mass5 kg (11 lb)
Dimensions10 cm × 10 cm × 30 cm
(3.9 in × 3.9 in × 11.8 in) (3U)
Power20 watts
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination51.66°

Flock-1 is a CubeSat satellite constellation launched on 9 January 2014. The satellite is built in a 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 watts at maximal power.

Launch

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Flock-1 constellation was launched from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0, Wallops Island, on 9 January 2014 by an Antares 120 rocket. The satellites were deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) from 11 February 2014 to 28 February 2014.[1]

Another Flock start in January 2015 on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

Mission

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The satellite is intended for commercial Earth observation service. For this purpose, each satellite is equipped with a camera capable of 3 to 5 m (9.8 to 16.4 ft) ground resolution. Details of intended service by individual satellites were never released publicly and are largely unknown.

References

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  1. ^ "Flock-1, -1b, -1c, -1d, -1d', -1e, -1f, -2b, -2e, -2e', -2k, -2p, -3m, -3p, -3p', -3r, -3s, -4a, -4e, -4e', -4p, -4s, -4v, -4x".
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