IRIDIUM 33 DEB (34156)

COSPAR: 1997-051EK | Alt Name: deb Iridium 33
DECAYED

Image
IRIDIUM 33 DEB Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

September 14, 1997

Launch Pad

LC81/23

Launch Vehicle

Proton-K/17S40

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

34156

International Designator

1997-051EK

Decay Date

5/2/2016

Basic Satellite Info

Name

IRIDIUM 33 DEB

Alternative Name

deb Iridium 33

Type

Debris

Status

Space Junk

Owner

IRIDS

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0

Diameter

0

Span

0

Dry Mass

0

Launch Mass

0

Shape

N/A

Radar Cross Section

0.046

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Unknown

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

Unknown

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Unknown

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Starship Flight 12 Targets Mid-May Launch, X Report 2 May 2026

Starship Flight 12 Targets Mid-May Launch, X Report 2 May 2026

Starship Flight 12 status for May 2026: SpaceX targets mid-May with a revised trajectory, while Starlink 10-38 lofts 29 satellites from Cape Canaveral.

Space Brief 29 Nov 2025

Space Brief 29 Nov 2025

Today's Space Brief covers a Soyuz launch mishap that damaged Baikonur pad, Varda Space's AFRL test flights, ION vehicles aboard SpaceX Transporter-15, and more.

Space Brief 18 Dec 2025

Space Brief 18 Dec 2025

Today's updates cover Rocket Lab's launch for the U.S. Space Force, Digantara's major funding round, and discussions on national security in space.

Transporter 16 Carries 119 Payloads to SSO, X Report 29 Mar 2026

Transporter 16 Carries 119 Payloads to SSO, X Report 29 Mar 2026

Transporter 16 carries 119 payloads: SpaceX's rideshare mission targets Sun-synchronous orbit from Vandenberg, one of its densest manifests yet.

Voyager 1

Voyager 1

In November 2023, Earth's most distant spacecraft started speaking gibberish. Five months, one dead memory chip, and 30 billion miles of round-trip troubleshooting later, engineers got it talking again - using code written before most of them were born.

X Report 6 Sep 2025

X Report 6 Sep 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites, marking a significant milestone with its 500th Falcon rocket landing. Meanwhile, the Starship program reflects on its journey through ten flights, and competition with Amazon's Project Kuiper heats up as JetBlue opts for their in-flight Wi-Fi service.

Space Brief 31 Mar 2025

Space Brief 31 Mar 2025

Today's brief covers significant space events, including milestone national security certifications for ULA Vulcan and Rocket Lab, SpaceX's groundbreaking polar orbit mission, and a failed launch attempt by Isar Aerospace.

Space Brief 30 Apr 2025

Space Brief 30 Apr 2025

Today's briefing covers a significant hypersonic missile launch by the U.S. Army, the declassification of spy satellite photos aiding demining efforts, and the deployment of cutting-edge research payloads to the ISS.