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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Iridium SV061

Re-entered 23 Jul 2019

Iridium SV061 (NORAD 25263, COSPAR 1998-018B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Jul 2019, launched on 25 Mar 1998 on the Iridium SV051 mission. It was operated by IRID as part of the Iridium programme. The spacecraft was built by MOTO on the LM700 bus, with a mass of 667 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.

1998
launched
2019
re-entered
21
years on orbit
667
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched25 Mar 1998 · on the Iridium SV051 mission
Operational26 Jun 2019 · entered service
Retired26 Jun 2019 · end of operational service
Re-entered23 Jul 2019 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25263
COSPAR1998-018B
TypeSatellite
OperatorIRID
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMOTO
BusLM700
Mass667 kg (556 kg dry)
ProgrammeIridium
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude693 × 696 km
Inclination86.5°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Iridium SV061?

Iridium SV061 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 23 Jul 2019, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1998. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Iridium SV061 re-enter the atmosphere?

Iridium SV061 re-entered on 23 Jul 2019, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Iridium SV061?

Iridium SV061 was operated by IRID and built by MOTO (US).

Launched together

Iridium SV051Re-entered 2026
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.