IRIDIUM 121 (42812)

COSPAR: 2017-039K | Alt Name: Iridium Next SV121

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

June 25, 2017

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

42812

International Designator

2017-039K

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:35:18 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

86.40°

Right Ascension

346.56°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

92.84°

Period

100.40 min

Mean Motion

14.34 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Basic Satellite Info

Name

IRIDIUM 121

Alternative Name

Iridium Next SV121

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

IRIDS

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 42812U 17039K   26185.19119118  .00000055  00000-0  12536-4 0  9991

2 42812  86.3983 346.5627 0002228  92.8425 267.3026 14.34217924472267

Source: Celestrak

Summary

IRIDIUM 121, also known as Iridium Next SV121, is a communication and traffic monitoring satellite owned by IRIDS (Iridium LLC). Launched on June 25, 2017, from AFWTR (Vandenberg Air Force Base) using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle from SLC4E pad, it carries an L-band payload, Ka-band cross-links and downlinks, as well as ADS-B and AIS-receiver payloads. The satellite measures 3.1 meters in length with a diameter of 1.5 meters and a span of 9.4 meters. It has a dry mass of 700 kg and a launch mass of 860 kg, designed for a 10-year lifetime but planned to operate up to 15 years. Equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power, the satellite's shape is described as a half hexagonal prism with two panels. Manufactured by OATKGA (OneWeb Technologies Georgia), it operates in support of communication and traffic monitoring missions.

Physical Characteristics

Length

3.1

Diameter

1.5

Span

9.4

Dry Mass

700

Launch Mass

860

Shape

Half Hex Prism+2 pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Iridium Next SV121

Purpose

Communication, traffic monitoring

Mission

Communication, traffic monitoring

Manufacturer

OATKGA

Life Expectancy

10 years (design), 15 years (planned)

Bus

EliteBus

Configuration

ELiTeBus-1000

Motor

Equipment

L-band payload, Ka-band cross-links, Ka-band downlinks, ADS-B payload, AIS-receiver (on 58 satellites)

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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Latitude

Longitude

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Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)

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