IRIDIUM 163 (43575)

COSPAR: 2018-061G | Alt Name: Iridium Next SV163

Image
IRIDIUM 163 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

July 25, 2018

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

43575

International Designator

2018-061G

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:38:34 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

86.39°

Right Ascension

49.68°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

84.60°

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 163

Alternative Name

Iridium Next SV163

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

IRIDS

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 43575U 18061G   26185.02678753  .00000031  00000-0  38576-5 0  9998
2 43575  86.3946  49.6792 0002171  84.6030 275.5413 14.34217852415791

Source: Celestrak

Summary
IRIDIUM 163 (also known as Iridium Next SV163) is a communication and traffic monitoring satellite manufactured by NGISGA for IRIDS. Launched on July 25, 2018, from AFWTR SLC4E using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the satellite has a configuration of ELiTeBus-1000 with dimensions including a length of 3.1 meters, diameter of 1.5 meters, and span of 9.4 meters. It features an L-band payload, Ka-band cross-links and downlinks, and supports ADS-B and AIS-receiver functionalities. The dry mass is 700 kg, while the launch mass was 860 kg. Its power system includes two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's design lifetime is for ten years, with plans to extend it up to fifteen years. It has a half hex prism+2 pan shape and 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 SV163

Purpose

Communication, traffic monitoring

Mission

Communication, traffic monitoring

Manufacturer

NGISGA

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

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