Communications
Iridium provides global mobile telecommunications services using a constellation of 66 low earth orbit satellites in a 86.4° inclined orbit. Although 77 satellites were originally envisioned for the system and spawned the name based on the 77th element in the periodic table, the system has been scaled back. Motorola's Satellite Communications Group designed and manufactured the Iridium satellites with Lockheed Martin providing the LM-700A spacecraft buses.
Orbital Attempt
#4,150
KhSC Mission
#45
Pad Launch
#73
Location Launch
#1,091
Designator
1997-030
Jun 18, 1997, 2:02 PM
1 update
The Baikonur Cosmodrome is a spaceport operated by Russia within Kazakhstan. Located in the Kazakh city of Baikonur, it is the largest operational space launch facility in terms of area. All Russian crewed spaceflights are launched from Baikonur.
Timezone
Asia/Qyzylorda
Local Launch Time
Jun 18, 1997, 8:02 PM
Total Launches
1,564
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
45.9650, 63.3050
