IRIDIUM 178 (56729)

COSPAR: 2023-068V | Alt Name: Iridium Next SV178

Image

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Launch Details

Launch Date

May 20, 2023

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

56729

International Designator

2023-068V

Epoch

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:42:11 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

86.65°

Right Ascension

11.77°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

91.94°

Period

97.30 min

Mean Motion

14.80 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

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EliteBus bus Iridium Communications Iridium constellation United States satellites Payloads

Basic Satellite Info

Name

IRIDIUM 178

Alternative Name

Iridium Next SV178

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

IRIDS

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 56729U 23068V   26200.69596211  .00000103  00000+0  10125-4 0  9993

2 56729  86.6544  11.7730 0002227  91.9405 268.2071 14.80021192171175

Source: Celestrak

Summary

IRIDIUM 178, also known as Iridium Next SV178, is a communication and traffic monitoring satellite built by NGISGA for IRIDS. Launched on May 20, 2023, from AFWTR SLC4E using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, it has a dry mass of 700 kg and a launch mass of 860 kg. The satellite is equipped with a L-band payload, Ka-band cross-links, and downlinks for communication purposes, along with ADS-B payload and AIS-receiver technology for traffic monitoring. It features two deployable solar arrays and batteries to power its systems. IRIDIUM 178 has a configuration of ELiTeBus-1000 and measures 3.1 meters in length, 1.5 meters in diameter, with a span of 9.4 meters. Its designed lifetime is up to 10 years, with plans for an extended operational period up to 15 years.

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 SV178

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

Map

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Latitude

Longitude

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