Falcon-ODE [USAF]
Official name AFOTEC-1
Alternative name Falcon-ODE (AFOTEC-1)
Cospar ID 2019-026A
Norad ID 44225
Launch date 2019-05-05
Launch site RLLC
Launch vehicle Electron KS
Country/Organization USA
Type application Research (Atmospheric density)
Operator U.S. Air Force Academy
RCS size SMALL
Decay date 2024-03-20
Shape Box
Mass (kg) 1
Height (m) 0.1
Width (m) 0.1
Depth (m) 0.1
Span (m^2) 0.1
Contractors U.S. Air Force Academy
Propulsion None
Configuration CubeSat (1U)
Power Solar cells, batteries

Falcon-ODE (Falcon Orbital Debris Experiment) is a 1U-CubeSat built by the US Air Force Academy, to provide calibrated radar and optical targets for ground-based space situational awareness sensors.

The Falcon-ODE satellite is to release two stainless steel ball bearings on command. The mission is to use measurements of the orbit of these objects to determine changes in the background atmospheric density over time. Falcon-ODE is an educational tool for cadets learning about real DoD space missions by working hand-in-hand with their sponsors from the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC).

Falcon-ODE is planned to launch in May 2019 on an Electron KS rocket on the STP-27RD mission.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
AFOTEC-1 2019-026A 2019-05-05 RLLC Electron KS with Harbinger, SPARC 1