15 February 2017: ISRO PSLV-C37 Deploys 104 Satellites on a Single Launch Including 88 Planet Labs 3U ‘Dove’ Imagers & Nayif-1
On 15 February 2017, India’s PSLV-C37 launched from Sriharikota carrying 101 international CubeSats alongside Cartosat-2D, led by 88 3U Planet Dove satellites.
Following the deployment of the first 28 Flock-1 3U CubeSats from the International Space Station in February 2014, Planet Labs scaled 3U nanosatellite manufacturing into an assembly-line industrial process.
On 15 February 2017, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C37) injected 104 spacecraft into a 505 km Sun-synchronous orbit in under 11 minutes—including 88 3U Dove satellites (Flock-3p) released from ISISPACE QuadPack dispensers and the UAE’s first 1U CubeSat Nayif-1 (EO-88).
Using differential atmospheric drag (alternating between high-drag and low-drag solar array attitudes without onboard propulsion), the 88 3U Dove spacecraft phased themselves into a uniform 'string-of-pearls' ring around the Earth.
CELESTRAK SATCAT & TELEMETRY RECORD
Verified Spacecraft Key Facts & Orbital Dossier
| Spacecraft | Class | Operator / Country | Launch & Vehicle | NORAD / COSPAR | Orbit & RF Downlink | Catalog Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nayif-1 (EO-88) | 1U | MBRSC / American University of Sharjah AE | PSLV-XL (PSLV-C37) · ISIPOD | NORAD 42017 2017-008BX | 145.94 MHz (VHF/UHF) | Decayed |
Flock-1 / Dove (SuperDove) | 3U | Planet Labs US | Antares 120 (Cygnus CRS-1 / ISS) · Nanoracks NRCSD | Unassigned | UHF / S / X | Completed |
Catalogued Mission Summaries & Flight Notes
- Nayif-1 (EO-88) (1U, 2017):
- First CubeSat of the United Arab Emirates (1U, 1.1 kg), launched on the record 104-satellite PSLV-C37 mission with an active magnetorquer/sun-sensor ADCS and FUNcube U/V transponder; operated for over six years before re-entering on 18 July 2023.
- Flock-1 / Dove (SuperDove) (3U, 2014):
- Operational 3U Earth-observation CubeSat bus (~5 kg) with deployable solar wings, 3-axis reaction wheel + star tracker ADCS, 90 mm Maksutov telescope (3–5 m GSD), and high-speed X-band downlink.