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Iridium · Communications

IRIDIUM 48

DecayedCommunicationsLEO

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

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Launch

Launch date
December 20, 1997 at 01:16 PM UTC
Launch site
Vandenberg SFB, USA
Launched by
Delta II 7920-10C →
Operator
United States Air Force
Mission
Iridium 45 to 49
Launch record
View full launch →

Orbit

Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
137 km
Periapsis
105 km
Inclination
86.35°
Orbital period
86.9 min

Spacecraft

Operator
Iridium Communications
Launch mass
860 kg

Identity

COSPAR (Int'l)
1997-082D
NORAD catalog №
25107
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Constellation
Iridium
Radar cross-section
7.8284 m²
Status
Decayed
Decay / reentry
May 5, 2001

End of mission

Last active / ended
May 5, 2001
Time in service
3.4 years
Fate
Reentered Earth's atmosphere and was destroyed.
Final status
Decayed

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