Satellites

Iridium · Communications

IRIDIUM 61

DecayedCommunicationsLEO

IRIDIUM 61 is a Iridium Communications communications satellite, part of the Iridium constellation, launched on March 25, 1998 into LEO. It has since re-entered the atmosphere.

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Launch

Launch date
March 25, 1998 at 05:01 PM UTC
Launch site
TAISC
Operator
China Aerospace Corporation
Mission
Iridium 51 & 61

Orbit

Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
161 km
Periapsis
118 km
Inclination
86.4°
Orbital period
87.28 min

Spacecraft

Operator
Iridium Communications
Manufacturer
Thales Alenia Space
Users
Commercial
Launch mass
667 kg
Design lifetime
15 years
Detailed purpose
Voice & data communications

Identity

COSPAR (Int'l)
1998-018B
NORAD catalog №
25263
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Constellation
Iridium
Radar cross-section
3.8157 m²
Status
Decayed
Decay / reentry
July 23, 2019

End of mission

Last active / ended
July 23, 2019
Time in service
21.3 years
Fate
Reentered Earth's atmosphere and was destroyed.
Final status
Decayed

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