IRIDIUM 33 DEB (34598)

COSPAR: 1997-051JQ | 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

34598

International Designator

1997-051JQ

Decay Date

10/30/2011

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

0.024

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.

Blue Origin's New Glenn Explodes During Ground Test | KeepTrack Space Brief

Blue Origin's New Glenn Explodes During Ground Test | KeepTrack Space Brief

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during ground testing May 28, visible from hundreds of miles across Florida. Fireball halts vehicle pending failure investigation.

Roman Space Telescope Arrives at KSC for August 30 Falcon Heavy Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief

Roman Space Telescope Arrives at KSC for August 30 Falcon Heavy Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief

NASA's $4.3B Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope arrived at Kennedy Space Center for 70 days of prelaunch processing ahead of its August 30 Falcon Heavy launch.

The International Scientific Optical Network (ISON)

The International Scientific Optical Network (ISON)

How a controversial telescope network has become a significant player in tracking the increasingly crowded orbital environment, raising important questions about transparency, dual-use technologies, and the future of space situational awareness.

Starship V3 Debuts on Flight 12 May 20 | KeepTrack X Report

Starship V3 Debuts on Flight 12 May 20 | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's first Starship V3 launches May 20 on Flight 12, as Starlink's 10,354 active sats force a historic carrier alliance.

Starlink Constellation Size Hits 9,931, X Report 7 Mar 2026

Starlink Constellation Size Hits 9,931, X Report 7 Mar 2026

Starlink constellation size in 2026: 9,931 satellites in orbit, 9,920 working from 11,463 launched. Starlink 17-18 adds 25 more from Vandenberg.

X Report 5 Apr 2025

X Report 5 Apr 2025

SpaceX secures major U.S. military contracts, Fram2 concludes historic mission, and preparations for another Starlink launch.

X Report 8 Nov 2025

X Report 8 Nov 2025

SpaceX prepares for its 560th Falcon 9 launch, aiming to deploy 29 Starlink satellites from Kennedy Space Center, while the Bandwagon-4 mission continues to showcase successful rocket landings.

The Satellite That Found 22 Photons and Changed Astronomy

The Satellite That Found 22 Photons and Changed Astronomy

On April 27, 1961, a Scout rocket lifted a 37-kilogram NASA satellite into orbit from Wallops Island carrying the first serious instrument for detecting cosmic gamma rays. Explorer 11 operated for seven months before its tape recorder failed. In that time it registered 22 gamma-ray photons - a pitiful number by modern standards, but enough to launch an entire branch of astronomy.