X Report 3 Mar 2025
SpaceX gears up for Starship Flight 8, with a launch set for Monday as final preparations are underway.
IRIDIUM 51 (25262)
COSPAR: 1998-018A | Alt Name: Iridium 51
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 25, 1998
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC7
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2C-III/SD
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25262
International Designator
1998-018A
Epoch
Sun, 15 Mar 2026 07:27:58 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
86.33°
Right Ascension
277.88°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
253.59°
Period
87.63 min
Mean Motion
16.43 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
IRIDIUM 51
Alternative Name
Iridium 51
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
IRID
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25262U 98018A 26073.31109407 .12758678 -14726-5 43869-3 0 9999
2 25262 86.3323 277.8812 0012738 253.5949 106.3961 16.43348886489106
Source: Celestrak
Summary
IRIDIUM 51 is a communication satellite with the NORAD catalog ID of 25262 and was launched on March 25, 1998, from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TAISC) using launch pad LC7 by a Chang Zheng 2C-III/SD launch vehicle. The satellite, manufactured by MOTO, has a box shape with two panels, measures 3.5 meters in length and 1 meter in diameter, with a span of 5 meters. It weighs 667 kg at launch and 556 kg dry mass. Equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply, IRIDIUM 51 was designed to operate for approximately 8 years. The satellite is part of the Iridium constellation, serving communication purposes under ownership by IRID.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3.5
Diameter
1
Span
5
Dry Mass
556
Launch Mass
667
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.151
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Iridium SV051
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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