Key statistics
Satellite IRIDIUM 26 at a glance.
Uptime
10120
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.4
Per day
Orbit
LEO
Low Earth Orbit
Inclination
86.4
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for IRIDIUM 26.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: IRIDIUM 26
International designator: 1997-043A
Object number (NORAD): 24903
Object ID (CCSDS): 24903
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 100.201 minutes
Inclination: 86.3928 deg
SMA: 7146.2 km
Apoapsis: 769.607 km
Periapsis: 766.523 km
RAAN: 128.468 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0002158
Argument of periapsis: 93.5232 deg
Mean anomaly: 266.6212 deg
Mean motion: 14.37109906 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000625 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00020384 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: May 6, 2025, 3:54 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: May 5, 2025, 5:07 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 IRIDIUM 26
TLE line 1: 1 24903U 97043A 25125.71344991 .00000625 00000-0 20384-3 0 9997
TLE line 2: 2 24903 86.3928 128.4680 0002158 93.5232 266.6212 14.37109906450649
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite IRIDIUM 26.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object IRIDIUM 26.
Associated space launch
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.
IRIDIUM 26 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Delta II | Iridium 22 to 26’, on board a Delta II space rocket.
The launch took place on Aug. 21, 1997, 12:38 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 2W.
For more information about the launch, click the button.

Delta II | Iridium 22 to 26
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: Aug. 21, 1997, 12:38 a.m. UTC
Rocket: Delta II
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 2W
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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