X Report 24 Nov 2025
SpaceX successfully launches 28 Starlink satellites on a new Falcon 9 rocket from California, marking a significant milestone for their satellite constellation.
IRIDIUM 42 (25077)
COSPAR: 1997-077A | Alt Name: Iridium 42
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 8, 1997
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC7
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2C-III/SD
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25077
International Designator
1997-077A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:01:40 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
86.39°
Right Ascension
79.32°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
67.43°
Period
100.23 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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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
IRIDIUM 42
Alternative Name
Iridium 42
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
IRID
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25077U 97077A 26184.75116056 .00000370 00000-0 11883-3 0 9997
2 25077 86.3945 79.3159 0001680 67.4333 292.7041 14.36697549495976
Source: Celestrak
Summary
IRIDIUM 42 is a communication satellite launched on December 8, 1997, from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TAISC) using a Chang Zheng 2C-III/SD launch vehicle from launch pad LC7. The spacecraft measures 3.5 meters in length and has a diameter of 1 meter with a span of 5 meters. It was manufactured by MOTO and has a dry mass of 556 kg and a launch mass of 662 kg. IRIDIUM 42 is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries, and its mission is to provide communication services. The satellite's shape is described as Box + 2 Pan with an RCS value of 3.2961, indicating its radar cross-section. It has a lifespan of approximately 8 years in orbit.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3.5
Diameter
1
Span
5
Dry Mass
556
Launch Mass
662
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.2961
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Iridium SV042
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
MOTO
Life Expectancy
8 years
Bus
LM700
Configuration
LM-700A
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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