Satellites

Iridium · Communications

IRIDIUM 3

DecayedCommunicationsLEO

IRIDIUM 3 is a Iridium Communications communications satellite, part of the Iridium constellation, launched on August 19, 1998 into LEO. It has since re-entered the atmosphere.

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Launch

Launch date
August 19, 1998 at 11:01 PM UTC
Launch site
TAISC
Operator
China Aerospace Corporation
Mission
Iridium 76 & 78

Orbit

Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
185 km
Periapsis
117 km
Inclination
86.36°
Orbital period
87.51 min

Spacecraft

Operator
Iridium Communications
Manufacturer
Thales Alenia Space
Users
Commercial
Launch mass
667 kg
Design lifetime
15 years
Detailed purpose
Voice & data communications

Identity

COSPAR (Int'l)
1998-048A
NORAD catalog №
25431
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Constellation
Iridium
Radar cross-section
3.3611 m²
Status
Decayed
Decay / reentry
February 8, 2018

End of mission

Last active / ended
February 8, 2018
Time in service
19.5 years
Fate
Reentered Earth's atmosphere and was destroyed.
Final status
Decayed

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