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ORBCOMM FM20 (25416)
COSPAR: 1998-046D | Alt Name: Orbcomm B8
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
25416
International Designator
1998-046D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:47:45 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
44.99°
Right Ascension
170.60°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
308.10°
Period
100.13 min
Mean Motion
14.38 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ORBCOMM FM20
Alternative Name
Orbcomm B8
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ORBC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25416U 98046D 26185.24149669 .00000692 00000-0 27293-3 0 9991
2 25416 44.9919 170.6041 0002247 308.0969 51.9676 14.38087184459247
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ORBCOMM FM20, also known as Orbcomm B8, is a US communication satellite designed for M2M/IoT purposes and launched on August 2, 1998, from ERAS Launch Site using the Pegasus XL/HAPS launch vehicle. The Microstar configuration satellite has dimensions of 0.2 meters in length and 1 meter in diameter with a span of 4.3 meters due to its solar arrays. It weighs 42 kilograms at launch and features deployable solar arrays for power generation alongside batteries. Manufactured by OSCG, it is owned by ORBC and was part of the Orbcomm payload system. The satellite's shape includes a cylindrical body with two panels and an antenna array. Its expected lifetime is four years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.2
Diameter
1
Span
4.3
Dry Mass
42
Launch Mass
42
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.679
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Orbcomm FM20
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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