Track IRIDIUM 29 Satellite in Real Time
Detailed information about IRIDIUM 29 satellite
Designator id: 1997-051A
Description of IRIDIUM 29 Satellite:
Iridium 29 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 24944U 97051A 12339.17596890 .00000387 00000-0 13111-3 0 919 2 24944 086.3955 259.2175 0002401 080.7934 279.3550 14.34213273797048