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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Iridium SV009

Re-entered 11 Mar 2003

Iridium SV009 (NORAD 24838, COSPAR 1997-030C) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Mar 2003, launched on 18 Jun 1997 on the Iridium SV014 mission. It was operated by IRID as part of the Iridium programme. The spacecraft was built by MOTO/LMMS on the LM700 bus, with a mass of 662 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1997
launched
2003
re-entered
6
years on orbit
662
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched18 Jun 1997 · on the Iridium SV014 mission
Operational1 Oct 2000 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 2000 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Mar 2003 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID24838
COSPAR1997-030C
TypeSatellite
OperatorIRID
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMOTO/LMMS
BusLM700
Mass662 kg (556 kg dry)
ProgrammeIridium
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude774 × 780 km
Inclination86.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Iridium SV009?

Iridium SV009 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Mar 2003, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1997. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Iridium SV009 re-enter the atmosphere?

Iridium SV009 re-entered on 11 Mar 2003, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Iridium SV009?

Iridium SV009 was operated by IRID and built by MOTO/LMMS (US).

Launched together

Iridium SV014NORAD 24836Iridium SV012Re-entered 2018Iridium SV010Re-entered 2018Iridium SV013Re-entered 2018Iridium SV016NORAD 24841Iridium SV011NORAD 24842
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.