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ORBCOMM FM16 (25417)
COSPAR: 1998-046E | Alt Name: Orbcomm B4
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
25417
International Designator
1998-046E
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:48:24 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
44.99°
Right Ascension
157.07°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
26.31°
Period
99.99 min
Mean Motion
14.40 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ORBCOMM FM16
Alternative Name
Orbcomm B4
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
ORBC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25417U 98046E 26185.15861498 .00001243 00000-0 43495-3 0 9998
2 25417 44.9919 157.0725 0003833 26.3135 333.7908 14.40094862459291
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ORBCOMM FM16, also known as Orbcomm B4, is a communication satellite launched on August 2, 1998, from ERAS using the Pegasus XL/HAPS launch vehicle. It was manufactured by OSCG and has a configuration of MicroStar with dimensions measuring 0.2 meters in length and 1 meter in diameter, and it spans 4.3 meters. The satellite weighs 42 kilograms both at launch and dry mass and is equipped with an Orbcomm payload for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) communication purposes. It uses two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply and has a cylindrical shape complemented by panels and antennas. The satellite's mission lifetime was 4 years, and it was owned by ORBC.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.2
Diameter
1
Span
4.3
Dry Mass
42
Launch Mass
42
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.636
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Orbcomm FM16
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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