Communications
IRIDIUM 173
Global Mobile Satellite Network (Iridium NEXT) · Iridium Communications
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Iridium 173, one of the 66 operational Iridium NEXT satellites providing global mobile satellite phone and data coverage. This satellite is hosting the Aireon payload alongside core telephony, giving air traffic controllers real-time aircraft surveillance over oceans and poles.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbitcan appear as a fast-moving star at dawn or dusk
- Altitude
- 485–487 mi (780–783 km)
- Inclination
- 86.4°
- One orbit
- 100.3 minutes14.4 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 43925
- Int’l designator
- 2019-002D
- Launched
- 2019
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.
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