Key statistics
Satellite IRIDIUM 73 at a glance.
Uptime
10072
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.5
Per day
Orbit
LEO
Low Earth Orbit
Inclination
86.4
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for IRIDIUM 73.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: IRIDIUM 73
International designator: 1998-032C
Object number (NORAD): 25344
Object ID (CCSDS): 25344
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 99.174 minutes
Inclination: 86.4406 deg
SMA: 7097.298 km
Apoapsis: 721.244 km
Periapsis: 717.082 km
RAAN: 331.2945 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0002932
Argument of periapsis: 94.5278 deg
Mean anomaly: 265.6262 deg
Mean motion: 14.51988462 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00001077 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00026173 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Dec. 12, 2025, 7:26 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Dec. 12, 2025, 12:29 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 IRIDIUM 73
TLE line 1: 1 25344U 98032C 25346.02078749 .00001077 00000-0 26173-3 0 9994
TLE line 2: 2 25344 86.4406 331.2945 0002932 94.5278 265.6262 14.51988462456367
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite IRIDIUM 73.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object IRIDIUM 73.
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 73 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Delta II | Iridium 70, 72 to 75’, on board a Delta II space rocket.
The launch took place on May 17, 1998, 9:16 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 2W.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Delta II | Iridium 70, 72 to 75
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: May 17, 1998, 9:16 p.m. UTC
Rocket: Delta II
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 2W
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
...
Latest news about this satellite
There are no fresh news available about this satellite. Check back as we update our databases every day.
Newsletter sign-up
Weekly statistics, charts and insights to help you stay on top of the space industry.
