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Iridium · Communications

IRIDIUM 46

DecayedCommunicationsLEO

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

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Launch

Launch date
August 21, 1997 at 12:38 AM UTC
Launch site
Vandenberg SFB, USA
Launched by
Delta II 7920-10C →
Operator
United States Air Force
Mission
Iridium 22 to 26
Launch record
View full launch →

Orbit

Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
135 km
Periapsis
126 km
Inclination
86.33°
Orbital period
87.1 min

Spacecraft

Operator
Iridium Communications
Launch mass
860 kg

Identity

COSPAR (Int'l)
1997-043C
NORAD catalog №
24905
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Constellation
Iridium
Radar cross-section
3.4756 m²
Status
Decayed
Decay / reentry
May 11, 2019

End of mission

Last active / ended
May 11, 2019
Time in service
21.7 years
Fate
Reentered Earth's atmosphere and was destroyed.
Final status
Decayed

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