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ORBCOMM FM15 (25418)
COSPAR: 1998-046F | Alt Name: Orbcomm B3
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
25418
International Designator
1998-046F
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:35:53 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
45.00°
Right Ascension
163.05°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
21.79°
Period
100.02 min
Mean Motion
14.40 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ORBCOMM FM15
Alternative Name
Orbcomm B3
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
ORBC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25418U 98046F 26185.23326130 .00000934 00000-0 34073-3 0 9995
2 25418 44.9953 163.0528 0003393 21.7901 338.3092 14.39713021459286
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ORBCOMM FM15, also known as Orbcomm B3, is a communication satellite designed for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications launched on August 2, 1998, from the ERAS site using a Pegasus XL/HAPS launch vehicle. It has dimensions of 0.2 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and a span of 4.3 meters due to its solar arrays. The satellite weighs 42 kilograms both at launch and as dry mass. Manufactured by OSCG for ORBCOMM (ORBC), it carries an Orbcomm payload for communication purposes and is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its shape consists of a cylinder with two panels and antennas, and its reflective surface area (RCS) is 0.6166 square meters. The satellite's operational lifetime was projected to be 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
0.6166
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Orbcomm FM15
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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