ORBCOMM FM13 (25420)

COSPAR: 1998-046H | Alt Name: Orbcomm B1

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

25420

International Designator

1998-046H

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:36:26 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

45.00°

Right Ascension

171.93°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

7.86°

Period

100.09 min

Mean Motion

14.39 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 FM13

Alternative Name

Orbcomm B1

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

ORBC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 25420U 98046H   26185.27530202  .00000797  00000-0  30366-3 0  9997

2 25420  44.9953 171.9307 0004885   7.8598 352.2326 14.38661243458243

Source: Celestrak

Summary

ORBCOMM FM13, also known as Orbcomm B1, is a US communication satellite based on the Microstar configuration and manufactured by OSCG for ORBCOMM (ORBC). Launched on August 2, 1998, from ERAS launch site using Pegasus XL/HAPS vehicle, it has dimensions of 0.2 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and a span of 4.3 meters. The satellite carries an Orbcomm payload for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) communication purposes. It weighs 42 kilograms at launch and in dry condition, with power supplied by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its shape is described as Cylindrical + 2 Panels + Antenna and has a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.7712 square meters. The satellite's operational lifetime was expected to be around 4 years.

Physical Characteristics

Length

0.2

Diameter

Span

4.3

Dry Mass

Launch Mass

Shape

Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant

Radar Cross Section

0.7712

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Orbcomm FM13

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

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Latitude

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