ORBCOMM FM24 (25478)

COSPAR: 1998-053D | Alt Name: Orbcomm C4

Image
ORBCOMM FM24 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

September 23, 1998

Launch Site

ERAS

Launch Pad

RW04/22

Launch Vehicle

Pegasus XL/HAPS

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

25478

International Designator

1998-053D

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:01:14 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

45.01°

Right Ascension

256.32°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

286.13°

Period

100.06 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 FM24

Alternative Name

Orbcomm C4

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

ORBC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 25478U 98053D   26185.16752937  .00000819  00000-0  30781-3 0  9993
2 25478  45.0072 256.3202 0002693 286.1324  73.9229 14.39167619452451

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The ORBCOMM FM24 satellite, also known as Orbcomm C4, was launched on September 23, 1998, from ERAS launch site using a Pegasus XL/HAPS launch vehicle. It is part of the Microstar configuration and was manufactured by OSCG for US-based communication purposes related to M2M/IoT applications. The satellite measures 0.2 meters in length with a diameter of 1 meter and has a span of 4.3 meters, featuring two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. Its dry mass is recorded at 42 kilograms and it was designed with an expected lifetime of 4 years. Equipped with an Orbcomm payload, the satellite's shape consists of a cylindrical body with two panels and antennas, and its radar cross-section (RCS) value is 0.6458 square meters. The satellite was owned by ORBC and operated under the Microstar bus system.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.2

Diameter

1

Span

4.3

Dry Mass

42

Launch Mass

42

Shape

Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant

Radar Cross Section

0.6458

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Orbcomm FM24

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

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