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ORBCOMM FM18 (25414)
COSPAR: 1998-046B | Alt Name: Orbcomm B6
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 2, 1998
Launch Site
ERAS
Launch Pad
RW04/22
Launch Vehicle
Pegasus XL/HAPS
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25414
International Designator
1998-046B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:12:58 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
44.99°
Right Ascension
160.04°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
13.37°
Period
100.02 min
Mean Motion
14.40 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 FM18
Alternative Name
Orbcomm B6
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
ORBC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25414U 98046B 26185.21733899 .00001080 00000-0 38694-3 0 9999
2 25414 44.9906 160.0446 0004541 13.3650 346.7318 14.39692864459285
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ORBCOMM FM18, also known as Orbcomm B6, is a communication satellite for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) purposes launched on August 2, 1998. It was manufactured by OSCG and has dimensions of 0.2 meters in length with a diameter of 1 meter and a span of 4.3 meters due to its solar arrays. The satellite weighs 42 kilograms at launch and is equipped with deployable solar arrays and batteries for power. Launched from ERAS using the Pegasus XL/HAPS vehicle, it has a mission lifetime of approximately four years. Its equipment includes an Orbcomm payload designed for communication purposes.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.2
Diameter
1
Span
4.3
Dry Mass
42
Launch Mass
42
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.6162
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Orbcomm FM18
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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