SpaceX Opens 2026 With 29 Starlink Satellites, X Report 5 Jan 2026
SpaceX Starlink updates for 2026 open with Starlink 6-88: 29 satellites from Cape Canaveral on Jan 4, after a record 165-launch 2025.
Launch Date
September 14, 1997
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC81/23
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/17S40
NORAD ID
24944
International Designator
1997-051A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:05:25 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
86.40°
Right Ascension
343.52°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
93.60°
Period
100.22 min
Mean Motion
14.37 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
IRIDIUM 29
Alternative Name
Iridium 29
Type
Status
Owner
IRID
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 24944U 97051A 26185.17043652 .00000341 00000-0 10876-3 0 9998
2 24944 86.3968 343.5192 0002342 93.5953 266.5512 14.36817689508112
Source: Celestrak
Length
3.5
Diameter
1
Span
5
Dry Mass
556
Launch Mass
662
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.3678
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Iridium SV029
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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