ORBCOMM-X (21576)

COSPAR: 1991-050C | Alt Name: Orbcomm-X

Image
ORBCOMM-X Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

July 17, 1991

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA2

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 40

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

21576

International Designator

1991-050C

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:32:38 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

98.30°

Right Ascension

248.01°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

106.58°

Period

99.75 min

Mean Motion

14.44 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

ORBCOMM-X

Alternative Name

Orbcomm-X

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

ORBC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 21576U 91050C   26185.18933260  .00000340  00000-0  11283-3 0  9995
2 21576  98.2950 248.0135 0004866 106.5774 253.5952 14.43592047837225

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The ORBCOMM-X satellite, also known as Orbcomm-X, has the NORAD catalog ID 21576 and was launched on July 17, 1991, from ELA2 at FRGUI using an Ariane 40 launch vehicle. The spacecraft is owned by ORBC and manufactured by FAIR (Fairchild Space & Defense Corporation). It has dimensions of 0.2 meters in length, 0.5 meters in diameter, and a span of 4.4 meters due to its antennas, with a dry mass of 17 kg, the same as its launch mass. The satellite is equipped with an Orbcomm payload for experimental machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) communication purposes, powered by solar cells and batteries. Its shape is described as a box with attached antennas, and it has a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.141 square meters. The purpose of ORBCOMM-X aligns with its mission to explore experimental communication technologies for M2M/IoT applications.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.2

Diameter

0.5

Span

4.4

Dry Mass

17

Launch Mass

17

Shape

Box + Ant

Radar Cross Section

0.141

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Orbcomm-X

Purpose

Experimental communication M2M/IoT

Mission

Experimental communication M2M/IoT

Manufacturer

FAIR

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Orbcomm-X

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

None

Equipment

Orbcomm payload

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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