Iridium · Communications
IRIDIUM 42
NonoperationalCommunicationsLEO
IRIDIUM 42 is a Iridium Communications communications satellite, part of the Iridium constellation, launched on December 8, 1997 into LEO.
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Launch
- Launch date
- December 8, 1997 at 07:16 AM UTC
- Launch site
- TAISC
- Launched by
- Long March 2C/SD →
- Operator
- China Aerospace Corporation
- Mission
- Iridium 42 & 44
- Launch record
- View full launch →
Orbit
- Orbit regime
- LEO
- Apoapsis
- 771 km
- Periapsis
- 768 km
- Inclination
- 86.4°
- Orbital period
- 100.23 min
Spacecraft
- Operator
- Iridium Communications
- Manufacturer
- Thales Alenia Space
- Users
- Commercial
- Launch mass
- 662 kg
- Design lifetime
- 15 years
- Detailed purpose
- Voice & data communications
Identity
- COSPAR (Int'l)
- 1997-077A
- NORAD catalog №
- 25077
- Object type
- Payload
- Owner / operator
United States- Constellation
- Iridium
- Radar cross-section
- 3.2961 m²
- Status
- Nonoperational
End of mission
- Fate
- No longer operational — remains in orbit as inactive.
- Final status
- Nonoperational
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