IRIDIUM 81 (25468)

COSPAR: 1998-051B | Alt Name: Iridium 81

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

September 8, 1998

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC2W

Launch Vehicle

Delta 7920-10C

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

25468

International Designator

1998-051B

Decay Date

7/17/2018

Basic Satellite Info

Name

IRIDIUM 81

Alternative Name

Iridium 81

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

IRID

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

IRIDIUM 81 is a communication satellite with the NORAD catalog ID of 25468 and OBJECT_ID 1998-051B. It was manufactured by MOTO/LMMS using the LM700 bus configuration for a US-based mission. The satellite, also known as Iridium SV081, has dimensions of 3.5 meters in length, a diameter of 1 meter, and spans 5 meters with its solar arrays deployed. It was launched on September 8, 1998, from the AFWTR launch site at SLC2W using a Delta 7920-10C launch vehicle. The satellite has a dry mass of 556 kg and a launch mass of 662 kg, with power generated by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its shape is described as a box with two panels. IRIDIUM 81 has an expected lifetime of 8 years and operates in the communication sector for its owner, Iridium.

Physical Characteristics

Length

3.5

Diameter

Span

Dry Mass

556

Launch Mass

662

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

3.149

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Iridium SV081

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

MOTO/LMMS

Life Expectancy

8 years

Bus

LM700

Configuration

LM-700A

Motor

Equipment

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

China Opens 2026 With Yaogan and Guowang Satellite Launches | KeepTrack Space Brief

China launches Yaogan spacecraft into unusual orbit and Guowang constellation satellites to start 2026. NASA and DOE plan lunar nuclear reactor by 2030. Space Force switches GPS launch rocket.

Space Brief 22 Jun 2025

Today's briefing covers a last-minute abort of a SpaceX Starlink launch, NASA's preparation for hypersonic tests, Airbus's progress in its space business, and more exciting developments in satellite tracking and reusable spaceflight.

Space Brief 15 Feb 2025

Today's highlights include SpaceX's record-setting Starlink launch, Redwire's contract for USSF, and military satellite developments.

SpaceX Hits 600 Rocket Landings, Wins $175M Mars Deal | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's 600th Falcon 9 booster landing coincides with a $175M NASA Mars contract win and the final GPS III satellite launch this week.

Space Force Adds Relativity, Impulse to NSSL Phase 3 | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force expands National Security Space Launch Phase 3 with Relativity Space and Impulse Space joining Lane 1 competition. New entrants gain pathway to military payload contracts.

X Report 30 Jan 2025

SpaceX's Falcon 9 launches SpainSat NG-1 satellite as Starlink compatibility causes market ripples.

Firefly Alpha Returns to Flight After Anomaly | KeepTrack Space Brief

Firefly Aerospace launches return-to-flight Firefly Alpha on March 10 after Flight 6 anomaly. SpaceX also launches EchoStar 25 GEO satellite and multiple Starlink batches this week.

X Report 16 Nov 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites on November 14, marking the first of two rapid-fire Falcon 9 missions from Florida's Space Coast in under four hours.