Launch Overview
Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2C-III/SD
Agency
China Aerospace Corporation
Site / Pad
TYSC / LC7
Outcome
Success
Flight
Y3
COSPAR Designator
1998-018
Mission
Iridium 51 & 61 (Communications)
Iridium provides global mobile telecommunications services using a constellation of 66 low earth orbit satellites in a 86.4° inclined orbit. Although 77 satellites were originally envisioned for the system and spawned the name based on the 77th element in the periodic table, the system has been scaled back. Motorola's Satellite Communications Group designed and manufactured the Iridium satellites with Lockheed Martin providing the LM-700A spacecraft buses.
Vehicle & Provider
Rocket
Long March 2C/SD
Provider
China Aerospace Corporation
Agency launches
20 (1 YTD)
Site launches
5 (1 YTD)
Pad launches
5 (1 YTD)