Space Brief 23 Apr 2025
Today's brief highlights the US Space Force's new space conflict doctrine, Ukraine's search for Starlink alternatives, and updates on regional military activities affecting space dynamics.
Launch Date
December 23, 1997
Launch Site
ERAS
Launch Pad
RW04/22
Launch Vehicle
Pegasus XL/HAPS
NORAD ID
25117
International Designator
1997-084F
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:10:23 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
45.02°
Right Ascension
332.11°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
342.13°
Period
99.49 min
Mean Motion
14.47 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
ORBCOMM FM05
Alternative Name
Orbcomm A1
Type
Status
Owner
ORBC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 25117U 97084F 26185.09055021 .00001442 00000-0 42856-3 0 9997
2 25117 45.0154 332.1115 0000567 342.1350 17.9482 14.47410513495918
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.2
Diameter
1
Span
4.3
Dry Mass
42
Launch Mass
42
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.746
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Orbcomm FM5
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
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