IRIDIUM 33 DEB (34658)

COSPAR: 1997-051KK | Alt Name: deb Iridium 33

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

September 14, 1997

Launch Site

Tyuratam Missile and Space Complex

Launch Pad

LC81/23

Launch Vehicle

Proton-K/17S40

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

34658

International Designator

1997-051KK

Decay Date

1/30/2014

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

Diameter

Span

Dry Mass

Launch Mass

Shape

N/A

Radar Cross Section

0.0116

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.

New Glenn Damaged in Hotfire Anomaly at LC-36 | KeepTrack Space Brief

Blue Origin's New Glenn suffered a damaging anomaly during hotfire testing at Launch Complex 36, grounding the heavy-lift rocket indefinitely with no return-to-flight timeline announced.

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.

Boeing Starliner Grounded Until Mid-2027, NASA Warns | KeepTrack Space Brief

Boeing CST-100 Starliner faces up to one year delay before return-to-flight. NASA safety panel cites unresolved technical problems since mid-2024 crewed test.

The Day That Changed Spaceflight Forever

Thirty-nine years ago, the loss of Space Shuttle Challenger and its seven crew members forever transformed our approach to spaceflight safety and risk management

X Report 25 Dec 2025

Starlink reaches 9 million active users, while SpaceX prepares for upcoming missions with Flight 12 vehicles readying for 2026.

X Report 11 Feb 2025

SpaceX successfully launches 23 Starlink satellites, NASA selects SpaceX for astrophysics mission, and Starship Flight 8 advances with Booster 15 static fire.

SpaceX Files $18.7B IPO as Starship V3 Debuts | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's S-1 reveals $18.7B in revenue as Starship Flight 12 debuts Block 3 hardware from Pad 2 on May 21, 2026.

X Report 29 Nov 2024

SpaceX advances Starship development while planning future replacements for Falcon and Dragon.