Track IRIDIUM 43 Satellite in Real Time
Detailed information about IRIDIUM 43 satellite
Designator id: 1997-069A
Description of IRIDIUM 43 Satellite:
Iridium 43 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 25039U 97069A 12339.16078488 .00000172 00000-0 54510-4 0 1160 2 25039 086.3924 354.1537 0002274 097.4490 262.6978 14.34214360788954