Satellites

Iridium · Communications

IRIDIUM 49

DecayedCommunicationsLEO

IRIDIUM 49 is a Iridium Communications communications satellite, part of the Iridium constellation, launched on December 20, 1997 into LEO. It has since re-entered the atmosphere.

Loading…

Launch

Launch date
December 20, 1997 at 01:16 PM UTC
Launch site
Vandenberg SFB, USA
Operator
United States Air Force
Mission
Iridium 45 to 49

Orbit

Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
181 km
Periapsis
119 km
Inclination
86.36°
Orbital period
87.49 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)
1997-082E
NORAD catalog №
25108
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Constellation
Iridium
Radar cross-section
3.3668 m²
Status
Decayed
Decay / reentry
February 13, 2018

End of mission

Last active / ended
February 13, 2018
Time in service
20.2 years
Fate
Reentered Earth's atmosphere and was destroyed.
Final status
Decayed

Related news