IRIDIUM 138 (43071)

COSPAR: 2017-083B | Alt Name: Iridium Next SV138

Image
IRIDIUM 138 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

December 23, 2017

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

43071

International Designator

2017-083B

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:27:43 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

86.40°

Right Ascension

314.66°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

88.28°

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 138

Alternative Name

Iridium Next SV138

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

IRIDS

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 43071U 17083B   26185.06091617  .00000081  00000-0  21777-4 0  9993
2 43071  86.3994 314.6590 0002150  88.2751 271.8692 14.34218071446553

Source: Celestrak

Summary
IRIDIUM 138, also known as Iridium Next SV138, is a communication and traffic monitoring satellite owned by IRIDS and manufactured by OATKGA. It was launched on December 23, 2017, from AFWTR SLC4E using the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The satellite has a configuration of ELiTeBus-1000 with dimensions measuring 3.1 meters in length, 1.5 meters in diameter, and 9.4 meters in span. Its dry mass is 700 kg, and it had a launch mass of 860 kg. Equipped with a L-band payload, Ka-band cross-links and downlinks, and ADS-B payload, the satellite also includes AIS-receiver technology (on 58 satellites). It uses two deployable solar arrays for power generation alongside batteries. Designed to last 10 years but planned for up to 15 years of operation, IRIDIUM 138 is part of a constellation aimed at providing advanced communication and traffic monitoring services.
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 SV138

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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