Track IRIDIUM 17 Satellite in Real Time
Detailed information about IRIDIUM 17 satellite
Designator id: 1997-034B
Description of IRIDIUM 17 Satellite:
Iridium 17 was part of a planned commercial communications network comprised of a constellation of 66 LEO spacecraft. The system will use L-Band to provide global communications services through portable handsets. A total of 125 spacecraft will be built by Lockheed for more than $700M. Commercial service is planned to begin in 1998. The system will employ 15-20 ground stations with a master control complex in Landsdowne, VA, a backup in Italy, and a third engineering center in Chandler, AZ. The spacecraft was 3-axis stabilized, with a hydrazine propulsion system. It had 2 solar panels with 1-axis articulation. The system employed L-Band using FDMA/TDMA to provide voice at 4.8 kbps and data at 2400 bps with 16 dB margin. Each satellite had 48 spot beams for Earth coverage and used Ka-Band for crosslinks and ground commanding.
1 24870U 97034B 12339.10332699 .00000233 00000-0 75082-4 0 1205 2 24870 086.3970 353.6223 0002461 067.8811 292.2642 14.34875913806617