Key statistics
Satellite IRIDIUM 42 at a glance.
Uptime
10133
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: 100.25 minutes
Inclination: 86.3993 deg
SMA: 7148.522 km
Apoapsis: 771.687 km
Periapsis: 769.087 km
RAAN: 206.198 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00018184
Argument of periapsis: 105.8671 deg
Mean anomaly: 254.2727 deg
Mean motion: 14.36409757 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000795 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00026500052 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Sept. 4, 2025, 10:13 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Sept. 4, 2025, 4:10 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 IRIDIUM 42
TLE line 1: 1 25077U 97077A 25247.17374988 .00000795 00000-0 26500-3 0 9995
TLE line 2: 2 25077 86.3993 206.1980 0001818 105.8671 254.2727 14.36409757452537
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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