Space Brief 17 Oct 2024
An exciting day in space with potential maneuver revelations from the X-37B, SpaceX's resumption of Falcon 9 launches, and significant advancements in lunar exploration tied to new U.S. spacesuits.
Launch Date
July 9, 1997
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2W
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7920-10C
NORAD ID
24871
International Designator
1997-034C
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:11:35 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
86.39°
Right Ascension
52.49°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
259.89°
Period
99.87 min
Mean Motion
14.42 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
IRIDIUM 920
Alternative Name
Iridium 20
Type
Status
Owner
IRID
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 24871U 97034C 26185.09138307 .00000380 00000-0 11007-3 0 9991
2 24871 86.3948 52.4924 0009335 259.8917 100.1231 14.41905443521606
Source: Celestrak
Length
3.5
Diameter
1
Span
5
Dry Mass
556
Launch Mass
662
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
5.0327
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Iridium SV020
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
MOTO/LMMS
Life Expectancy
8 years
Bus
LM700
Configuration
LM-700A
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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