# Iridium 12

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111498619](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111498619)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-12

## Summary
Iridium 12 was an artificial satellite and former entity that operated as part of the Iridium satellite constellation, a network providing global voice and data coverage. Launched in June 1997, it spent over two decades in orbit before naturally decaying and re-entering Earth's atmosphere in September 2018.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Artificial satellite; designated as a former entity.
- **Constellation:** Component of the Iridium satellite constellation.
- **Launch Date:** June 18, 1997.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K (Russian carrier rocket).
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1997-030B.
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1997-030B.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 24837.
- **Decommissioning:** Atmospheric entry occurred on September 2, 2018.
- **Wolfram Language Entity:** `Entity["Satellite", "24837"]`.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Iridium 12?
A: Iridium 12 was a human-made artificial satellite launched in 1997. It functioned as part of the Iridium satellite constellation, which provides voice and data coverage to satellite phones and integrated transceivers.

### Q: When and how did Iridium 12 launch?
A: The satellite launched on June 18, 1997, aboard a Proton-K rocket. It lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23.

### Q: Is Iridium 12 still in orbit?
A: No, Iridium 12 is classified as a former entity. It re-entered Earth's atmosphere on September 2, 2018.

## Why It Matters
Iridium 12 represents a critical piece of telecommunications infrastructure history as part of the original Iridium satellite constellation. This constellation was an engineering marvel designed to provide seamless global communications coverage, including over the poles and oceans, where traditional terrestrial networks fail. Launched in the late 1990s, Iridium 12 contributed to the rapid expansion of mobile satellite services, enabling voice and data connectivity for remote industries, maritime operations, and disaster relief efforts.

The satellite's launch aboard a Proton-K rocket highlights the international collaboration involved in deploying the early Iridium network, utilizing Russian launch capabilities from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome. While the original Iridium satellites have largely been replaced by next-generation Iridium NEXT satellites, the longevity of units like Iridium 12—operating for over 21 years—demonstrates the robust design of early commercial low-Earth orbit (LEO) platforms. Its eventual atmospheric entry in 2018 marked the end of its service life and the natural disposal of aging space hardware, a key consideration for modern space traffic management.

## Notable For
- Being a functional component of the Iridium satellite constellation for over two decades.
- Launching aboard a Proton-K carrier rocket, a workhorse of the Russian/Soviet space program.
- Utilizing the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically Site 81/23, as its start point.
- Having a tracked lifecycle from launch (1997) to atmospheric entry (2018) under the COSPAR ID 1997-030B.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Iridium 12 was successfully launched on June 18, 1997. The mission utilized a Proton-K carrier rocket, a Russian launch vehicle known for its heavy-lift capabilities. The launch originated from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23, a major spaceport located in Kazakhstan.

### Mission and Constellation
The primary function of Iridium 12 was to serve as an artificial satellite within the Iridium satellite constellation. This "constellation" architecture involves multiple satellites working in unison to provide continuous global signal coverage. Iridium 12 is classified as an "instance of" an artificial satellite and was formally a part of this communications network.

### End of Life
According to tracking data, Iridium 12 is considered a "former entity." Its operational lifecycle concluded with a significant event categorized as atmospheric entry. This re-entry into Earth's atmosphere took place on September 2, 2018.

### Technical Identifiers
To facilitate tracking and data management, Iridium 12 is associated with several specific identifiers:
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 24837
- **COSPAR ID:** 1997-030B
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1997-030B
- **Wolfram Language Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "24837"]`

## References

1. SATCAT