IRIDIUM 33 (24946)

COSPAR: 1997-051C | Alt Name: Iridium 33

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

September 14, 1997

Launch Site

Tyuratam Missile and Space Complex

Launch Pad

LC81/23

Launch Vehicle

Proton-K/17S40

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

24946

International Designator

1997-051C

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:16:19 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

86.39°

Right Ascension

342.95°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

272.13°

Period

100.34 min

Mean Motion

14.35 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

IRIDIUM 33

Alternative Name

Iridium 33

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

IRID

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 24946U 97051C   26184.88633227  .00000272  00000-0  88272-4 0  9999

2 24946  86.3882 342.9455 0005691 272.1324  87.9221 14.35155832507486

Source: Celestrak

Summary

IRIDIUM 33 (OBJECT_ID: 1997-051C) is a communication satellite launched on September 14, 1997, from the Tyuratam Cosmodrome Launch Pad LC81/23 using a Proton-K/17S40 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 3.5 meters in length and a diameter of 1 meter with a span of 5 meters. It was manufactured by MOTO/LMMS under the LM-700A configuration, weighing 662 kg at launch and 556 kg dry mass. IRIDIUM 33 carries the Iridium SV033 payload for communication purposes and is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its shape is described as Box + 2 Pan with a radar cross section (RCS) of 2.519 square meters. The satellite's operational lifespan was projected to be 8 years, serving as part of the Iridium constellation for communication services.

Physical Characteristics

Length

3.5

Diameter

Span

Dry Mass

556

Launch Mass

662

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

2.519

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Iridium SV033

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

Map

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Longitude

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