Satellites

Iridium · Communications

IRIDIUM 8

DecayedCommunicationsLEO

IRIDIUM 8 is a Iridium Communications communications satellite, part of the Iridium constellation, launched on May 5, 1997 into LEO. It has since re-entered the atmosphere.

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Launch

Launch date
May 5, 1997 at 02:55 PM UTC
Launch site
Vandenberg SFB, USA
Operator
United States Air Force
Mission
Iridium 04 to 08

Orbit

Orbit regime
LEO
Apoapsis
135 km
Periapsis
101 km
Inclination
86.34°
Orbital period
86.84 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)
1997-020A
NORAD catalog №
24792
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Constellation
Iridium
Radar cross-section
3.5089 m²
Status
Decayed
Decay / reentry
November 24, 2017

End of mission

Last active / ended
November 24, 2017
Time in service
20.6 years
Fate
Reentered Earth's atmosphere and was destroyed.
Final status
Decayed

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