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Iridium · Communications
IRIDIUM 6
Decayed
Communications
LEO
Relays voice, data, internet or broadcast signals between points on Earth.
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Launch
Launch date
May 5, 1997 at 02:55 PM UTC
Launch site
Vandenberg SFB, USA
Launched by
Delta II 7920-10C →
Operator
United States Air Force
Mission
Iridium 04 to 08
Launch record
View full launch →
Orbit
Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
170 km
Periapsis
120 km
Inclination
86.35°
Orbital period
87.39 min
Spacecraft
Operator
Iridium Communications
Launch mass
860 kg
Identity
COSPAR (Int'l)
1997-020C
NORAD catalog №
24794
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United States
Constellation
Iridium
Radar cross-section
3.2266 m²
Status
Decayed
Decay / reentry
December 23, 2017
End of mission
Last active / ended
December 23, 2017
Time in service
20.6 years
Fate
Reentered Earth's atmosphere and was destroyed.
Final status
Decayed
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