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Iridium · Communications

IRIDIUM 20

DecayedCommunicationsLEO

Relays voice, data, internet or broadcast signals between points on Earth.

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Launch

Launch date
December 19, 1998 at 11:39 AM UTC
Launch site
TAISC
Launched by
Long March 2C/SD →
Operator
China Aerospace Corporation
Mission
Iridium 88 & 89
Launch record
View full launch →

Orbit

Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
162 km
Periapsis
104 km
Inclination
86.59°
Orbital period
87.14 min

Spacecraft

Operator
Iridium Communications
Launch mass
860 kg

Identity

COSPAR (Int'l)
1998-074A
NORAD catalog №
25577
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Constellation
Iridium
Radar cross-section
3.6949 m²
Status
Decayed
Decay / reentry
October 22, 2018

End of mission

Last active / ended
October 22, 2018
Time in service
19.8 years
Fate
Reentered Earth's atmosphere and was destroyed.
Final status
Decayed

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