Space Brief 25 Jun 2025
Today's highlights include the launch of a U.S. military satellite via SpaceX, a new French defense agreement for satellite services, and the Missile Defense Agency's successful ICBM target tracking with long-range radar.
IRIDIUM 129 (42958)
COSPAR: 2017-061D | Alt Name: Iridium Next SV129
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
42958
International Designator
2017-061D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:02:26 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
86.40°
Right Ascension
18.12°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
83.58°
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 129
Alternative Name
Iridium Next SV129
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
IRIDS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 42958U 17061D 26185.25169661 .00000236 00000-0 77358-4 0 9996
2 42958 86.3964 18.1177 0002259 83.5800 276.5654 14.34219187457240
Source: Celestrak
Summary
IRIDIUM 129, also known as Iridium Next SV129, is a communication and traffic monitoring satellite operated by IRIDS (Iridium). It was launched on October 9, 2017, from AFWTR SLC4E using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 3.1 meters in length, 1.5 meters in diameter, and a span of 9.4 meters. It features an EliteBus configuration with a dry mass of 700 kilograms and a launch mass of 860 kilograms. Equipped with L-band payload, Ka-band cross-links, downlinks, ADS-B payload, and AIS-receiver, the satellite is designed for a 10-year mission but planned to operate for up to 15 years. Its power system consists of two deployable solar arrays and batteries, and it has a half hex prism+2 pan shape.
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 SV129
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
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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