X Report 25 Dec 2024
SpaceX wraps up a record-breaking year with successful launches and advancements in Starlink mega-constellation.
IRIDIUM 11 (25578)
COSPAR: 1998-074B | Alt Name: Iridium 11A
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 19, 1998
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC7
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2C-III/SD
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25578
International Designator
1998-074B
Decay Date
10/22/2018
Basic Satellite Info
Name
IRIDIUM 11
Alternative Name
Iridium 11A
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
IRID
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
IRIDIUM 11, also known as Iridium 11A, is a communication satellite with the OBJECT_ID 1998-074B and NORAD_CAT_ID 25578. It was launched on December 19, 1998, from TAI SC LC7 using the Chang Zheng 2C-III/SD launch vehicle. The satellite is configured with a LM-700A bus by manufacturer MOTO for the communication purpose and is owned by IRID. Its dimensions are 3.5 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and it has a span of 5 meters. With a dry mass of 556 kilograms and a launch mass of 667 kilograms, its power system consists of two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite has a shape described as Box + 2 Pan with an RCS (Reflective Cross Section) value of 2.9545. Its mission payload is designated as Iridium SV089, and it was designed to operate for a lifetime of 8 years in its communication role.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3.5
Diameter
1
Span
5
Dry Mass
556
Launch Mass
667
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
2.9545
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Iridium SV089
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
MOTO
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.
Space Brief 11 Nov 2024
SpaceX gears up for a Starlink launch from Florida amid ongoing space policy discussions. A closer look at the OneWeb satellite series in our Satellite Spotlight.
X Report 4 Aug 2025
SpaceX achieves significant milestones with the launch of 28 Starlink satellites and the final landing of the LZ-1 pad, marking key moments in their ongoing mission to expand satellite connectivity.
X Report 23 Apr 2025
SpaceX marks a significant milestone with its Bandwagon-3 mission, while Ukraine explores Starlink alternatives.
SpaceX IPO Terms Strip Investor Rights | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX's reported IPO structure grants Elon Musk unchecked control and forces 220,000-GPU Colossus AI deal into the spotlight.
Space Brief 12 Nov 2024
Latest updates include China's Lijian-1 launching 15 satellites, a fiery Starlink reentry, SpaceX's milestone Falcon 9 booster landing, and China's support for its commercial space sector.
X Report 8 Jul 2025
SpaceX marks a milestone with its 500th Falcon 9 mission during a week of notable developments, including ongoing Starlink deployments and changes in U.S. military plans.
Pentagon Pulls the Plug on GPS OCX | The $8 Billion Ground System That Never Worked
On April 17, 2026, the U.S. Space Force officially cancelled the Next Generation Operational Control System after sixteen years of development, cost overruns, and testing failures. The $8 billion program was supposed to unlock the military's encrypted GPS signal. Instead, the satellites are flying with capabilities the ground can't command.