Space Brief 17 Aug 2025
Today's space news features major US Space Force satellite launches, regulatory changes supporting private space initiatives, and updates on SpaceX's Starship advances.
ORBCOMM FM36 (25984)
COSPAR: 1999-065E | Alt Name: Orbcomm D8
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 4, 1999
Launch Site
ERAS
Launch Pad
RW22
Launch Vehicle
Pegasus XL/HAPS
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25984
International Designator
1999-065E
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:46:06 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
45.04°
Right Ascension
79.22°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
42.92°
Period
100.05 min
Mean Motion
14.39 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ORBCOMM FM36
Alternative Name
Orbcomm D8
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
ORBC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25984U 99065E 26185.11535612 .00001230 00000-0 43876-3 0 9990
2 25984 45.0389 79.2210 0003868 42.9227 317.1923 14.39232229389420
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ORBCOMM FM36, also known as Orbcomm D8, is a US satellite belonging to ORBCOMM (ORBC) and was launched on December 4, 1999, from the Eastern Range Air Space (ERAS), Launch Pad RW22 using the Pegasus XL/HAPS launch vehicle. It has a Microstar configuration with 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 Communication M2M/IoT missions and was manufactured by OSCG (Orbital Sciences Corporation). With a dry mass of 44 kilograms and the same launch mass, it is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its shape consists of a cylinder with two panels and antennas. The satellite's expected lifetime is four years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.2
Diameter
1
Span
4.3
Dry Mass
44
Launch Mass
44
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.5581
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Orbcomm FM36
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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