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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Iridium SV081

Re-entered 17 Jul 2018

Iridium SV081 (NORAD 25468, COSPAR 1998-051B) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Jul 2018, launched on 8 Sep 1998 on the Iridium MS-10 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
2018
re-entered
20
years on orbit
662
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched8 Sep 1998 · on the Iridium MS-10 mission
Operational13 Jun 2018 · entered service
Retired19 Jun 2018 · end of operational service
Re-entered17 Jul 2018 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID25468
COSPAR1998-051B
TypeSatellite
OperatorIRID
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMOTO/LMMS
BusLM700
Mass662 kg (556 kg dry)
ProgrammeIridium
CategoryCOM
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude776 × 778 km
Inclination86.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Iridium SV081?

Iridium SV081 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 17 Jul 2018, 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 SV081 re-enter the atmosphere?

Iridium SV081 re-entered on 17 Jul 2018, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Iridium SV081?

Iridium SV081 was operated by IRID and built by MOTO/LMMS (US).

Launched together

Iridium SV082Re-entered 2026Iridium SV080Re-entered 2018Iridium SV079Re-entered 2000Iridium SV077Re-entered 2017
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.