Satellites

Iridium · Communications

IRIDIUM 56

DecayedCommunicationsLEO

IRIDIUM 56 is a Iridium Communications communications satellite, part of the Iridium constellation, launched on February 18, 1998 into LEO. It has since re-entered the atmosphere.

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Launch

Launch date
February 18, 1998 at 01:58 PM UTC
Launch site
Vandenberg SFB, USA
Operator
United States Air Force
Mission
Iridium 50, 52, 53, 54, 56

Orbit

Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
178 km
Periapsis
135 km
Inclination
86.38°
Orbital period
87.62 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)
1998-010B
NORAD catalog №
25170
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Constellation
Iridium
Radar cross-section
3.6476 m²
Status
Decayed
Decay / reentry
October 11, 2018

End of mission

Last active / ended
October 11, 2018
Time in service
20.6 years
Fate
Reentered Earth's atmosphere and was destroyed.
Final status
Decayed

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