ORBCOMM FM12 (25115)

COSPAR: 1997-084D | Alt Name: Orbcomm A8

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

December 23, 1997

Launch Site

ERAS

Launch Pad

RW04/22

Launch Vehicle

Pegasus XL/HAPS

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

25115

International Designator

1997-084D

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:15:18 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

45.02°

Right Ascension

337.44°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

349.16°

Period

99.53 min

Mean Motion

14.47 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 FM12

Alternative Name

Orbcomm A8

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

ORBC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 25115U 97084D   26184.88562968  .00001356  00000-0  41084-3 0  9990

2 25115  45.0154 337.4405 0002989 349.1614  10.9173 14.46774992496527

Source: Celestrak

Summary

ORBCOMM FM12, also known as Orbcomm A8, is a communication satellite launched on December 23, 1997, from ERAS using the Pegasus XL/HAPS launch vehicle. It was manufactured by OSCG and has a dry mass of 42 kg with dimensions of 0.2 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and a span of 4.3 meters due to its solar arrays. The satellite is equipped with an Orbcomm payload designed for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) communication purposes. Its power system includes two deployable solar arrays and batteries. ORBCOMM FM12 has a cylindrical shape with panels and antennas, a Radar Cross Section (RCS) of 0.8926 m², and was launched by the owner ORBC. The satellite had an operational lifetime of about four years from its launch date.

Physical Characteristics

Length

0.2

Diameter

Span

4.3

Dry Mass

Launch Mass

Shape

Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant

Radar Cross Section

0.8926

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Orbcomm FM12

Purpose

Communication M2M/IoT

Mission

Communication M2M/IoT

Manufacturer

OSCG

Life Expectancy

4 years

Bus

Microstar

Configuration

MicroStar

Motor

Equipment

Orbcomm payload

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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