# Iridium 139

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111471139](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111471139)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-139

## Summary
Iridium 139 is a communications satellite launched on October 9, 2017, as part of the Iridium NEXT constellation, which provides global satellite communications. It was deployed using a Falcon 9 Block 4 rocket and operates in low Earth orbit to support voice, data, and tracking services worldwide.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 9, 2017
- **Launch Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Block 4
- **COSPAR ID**: 2017-061J
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 42963
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4
- **Classification**: Artificial satellite and part of the Iridium NEXT network
- **Primary Function**: Global communication services, including voice, data, and asset tracking

## FAQs
### Q: When was Iridium 139 launched?
A: Iridium 139 was launched on October 9, 2017, aboard a Falcon 9 Block 4 rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4.

### Q: What is the purpose of Iridium 139?
A: It provides global satellite communications as part of the Iridium NEXT constellation, enabling voice, data, and tracking services in remote or underserved regions.

### Q: How is Iridium 139 identified in satellite tracking systems?
A: It has the COSPAR ID 2017-061J and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 42963.

## Why It Matters
Iridium 139 plays a critical role in maintaining the Iridium NEXT constellation, a network of 66 operational satellites that deliver continuous global coverage for communication services. This system is vital for industries such as aviation, maritime, and emergency response, where reliable connectivity in remote areas is essential. As part of a major upgrade to the original Iridium satellite fleet, Iridium 139 contributes to enhanced data speeds, improved reliability, and expanded service capabilities, supporting both commercial and governmental users worldwide.

## Notable For
- **Part of the Iridium NEXT Constellation**: One of 75 satellites launched to replace and upgrade the original Iridium network.
- **Falcon 9 Block 4 Launch**: Deployed using SpaceX’s fourth-generation Falcon 9 rocket, demonstrating advancements in reusable launch technology.
- **Global Coverage**: Enables seamless communication across the globe, including polar regions inaccessible to traditional geostationary satellites.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Iridium 139 was launched on October 9, 2017, at 05:37:00 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 in California. It was one of 10 satellites deployed during the mission, which utilized a Falcon 9 Block 4 rocket. The rocket’s first stage had previously supported a June 2017 launch, showcasing SpaceX’s reusability capabilities.

### Technical Specifications
- **Satellite Type**: Second-generation Iridium NEXT satellite
- **Orbit**: Near-polar low Earth orbit (LEO)
- **Design Life**: 15+ years (as part of the Iridium NEXT system)
- **Identifiers**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 2017-061J
  - **SCN**: 42963

### Mission and Constellation Role
Iridium 139 operates as part of the Iridium NEXT network, a $3 billion upgrade to the original 1990s-era constellation. The satellite supports cross-link communications with neighboring satellites, enabling real-time data transfer without ground station reliance. This capability ensures low-latency connectivity for users in aviation, maritime, and defense sectors.

### Launch Vehicle Details
The Falcon 9 Block 4 rocket used for this launch featured improved Merlin engines and grid fins compared to earlier variants. While Block 4 rockets were eventually retired in 2018 in favor of the Block 5 design, they played a key role in transitioning SpaceX toward full reusability.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report