Key statistics
Satellite IRIDIUM 38 at a glance.
Uptime
10156
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 38.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: IRIDIUM 38
International designator: 1997-069E
Object number (NORAD): 25043
Object ID (CCSDS): 25043
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 100.127 minutes
Inclination: 86.3991 deg
SMA: 7142.688 km
Apoapsis: 765.865 km
Periapsis: 763.24 km
RAAN: 202.1437 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00018375
Argument of periapsis: 141.5099 deg
Mean anomaly: 218.623 deg
Mean motion: 14.38170071 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000643 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00020547806 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Aug. 30, 2025, 3:38 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Aug. 29, 2025, 10:07 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 IRIDIUM 38
TLE line 1: 1 25043U 97069E 25241.92191707 .00000643 00000-0 20548-3 0 9990
TLE line 2: 2 25043 86.3991 202.1437 0001838 141.5099 218.6230 14.38170071456559
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite IRIDIUM 38.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object IRIDIUM 38.
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 38 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Delta II | Iridium 38 to 43’, on board a Delta II space rocket.
The launch took place on Nov. 9, 1997, 1:34 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 2W.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Delta II | Iridium 38 to 43
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: Nov. 9, 1997, 1:34 a.m. UTC
Rocket: Delta II
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 2W
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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