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Today's highlights include SpaceX's 250th Starlink mission, a key Senate vote for NASA's next administrator, and insights into satellite missions and movements.
ORBCOMM FM06 (25118)
COSPAR: 1997-084G | Alt Name: Orbcomm A2
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
25118
International Designator
1997-084G
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:21:59 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
45.01°
Right Ascension
331.10°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
195.22°
Period
99.47 min
Mean Motion
14.48 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ORBCOMM FM06
Alternative Name
Orbcomm A2
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ORBC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25118U 97084G 26185.14026713 .00001490 00000-0 43979-3 0 9990
2 25118 45.0146 331.0976 0000587 195.2185 333.5408 14.47606795496845
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ORBCOMM FM06, also known as Orbcomm A2, is a communication satellite designed for M2M/IoT applications launched on December 23, 1997, from ERAS using the Pegasus XL/HAPS launch vehicle from launch pad RW04/22. The spacecraft measures 0.2 meters in length with a diameter of 1 meter and has a span of 4.3 meters due to its solar arrays. It weighs 42 kilograms both at launch and dry mass, and is equipped with Orbcomm payload for communication purposes. The satellite is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Manufactured by OSCG for ORBC, it was operational for approximately four years following its deployment into orbit.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.2
Diameter
1
Span
4.3
Dry Mass
42
Launch Mass
42
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.5105
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Orbcomm FM6
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
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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