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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Iridium SV059

Re-entered 11 Mar 2019

Iridium SV059 (NORAD 25275, COSPAR 1998-019D) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Mar 2019, launched on 30 Mar 1998 on the Iridium MS-8 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.

1998
launched
2019
re-entered
21
years on orbit
662
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Mar 1998 · on the Iridium MS-8 mission
Operational22 Feb 2019 · entered service
Retired1 Mar 2019 · end of operational service
Re-entered11 Mar 2019 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25275
COSPAR1998-019D
TypeSatellite
OperatorIRID
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMOTO/LMMS
BusLM700
Mass662 kg (556 kg dry)
ProgrammeIridium
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude775 × 780 km
Inclination86.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Iridium SV059?

Iridium SV059 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 11 Mar 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 SV059 re-enter the atmosphere?

Iridium SV059 re-entered on 11 Mar 2019, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Iridium SV059?

Iridium SV059 was operated by IRID and built by MOTO/LMMS (US).

Launched together

Iridium SV055Re-entered 2019Iridium SV057NORAD 25273Iridium SV058Re-entered 2019Iridium SV060Re-entered 2019
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.