Delta II
SuccessIridium 45 to 49 · United States Air Force
Launch time (NET)
Saturday, Dec 20, 1997, 13:16 UTC
Launch window
Saturday, Dec 20, 1997, 13:16 UTC – Saturday, Dec 20, 1997, 13:16 UTC
Provider
United States Air Force
Rocket
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA · Open map
Status
Success
The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).
Mission
Iridium 45 to 49
Type
Communications
Orbit
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
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.
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