Key statistics
Satellite IRIDIUM 42 at a glance.
Uptime
10073
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 42.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: IRIDIUM 42
International designator: 1997-077A
Object number (NORAD): 25077
Object ID (CCSDS): 25077
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 100.253 minutes
Inclination: 86.3954 deg
SMA: 7148.679 km
Apoapsis: 772.659 km
Periapsis: 768.43 km
RAAN: 231.6163 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0002958
Argument of periapsis: 83.5013 deg
Mean anomaly: 276.6521 deg
Mean motion: 14.36362466 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000243 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.000076402 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: July 5, 2025, 2:46 p.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: July 5, 2025, 1:35 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 IRIDIUM 42
TLE line 1: 1 25077U 97077A 25186.56654283 .00000243 00000-0 76402-4 0 9994
TLE line 2: 2 25077 86.3954 231.6163 0002958 83.5013 276.6521 14.36362466443836
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite IRIDIUM 42.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object IRIDIUM 42.
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 42 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Long March 2C/SD | Iridium 42 & 44’, on board a Long March 2C/SD space rocket.
The launch took place on Dec. 8, 1997, 7:16 a.m. from Launch Complex 7.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Long March 2C/SD | Iridium 42 & 44
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: Dec. 8, 1997, 7:16 a.m. UTC
Rocket: Long March 2C/SD
Launch pad: Launch Complex 7
Location: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
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