# Iridium 157

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111470974](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111470974)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-157

## Summary
Iridium 157 is an artificial satellite launched on March 30, 2018, as part of the Iridium NEXT constellation, which provides global satellite communications. It was deployed using a Falcon 9 Block 4 rocket from the Western Range. The satellite plays a role in maintaining worldwide connectivity, particularly in remote regions.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 30, 2018.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Block 4.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2018-030C.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 43251.
- **Instance Of**: Artificial satellite.
- **Launch Site**: Western Range.
- **Constellation**: Part of the Iridium NEXT network.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Iridium 157 launched?
A: Iridium 157 was launched on March 30, 2018.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Iridium 157?
A: It was launched aboard a Falcon 9 Block 4 rocket.

### Q: What is the purpose of Iridium 157?
A: It is part of the Iridium NEXT constellation, providing global communication services, especially in areas without terrestrial infrastructure.

## Why It Matters
Iridium 157 is significant as part of the Iridium NEXT program, a $3 billion initiative to upgrade the Iridium satellite constellation. This network enables voice and data communications worldwide, including in polar regions and oceans, supporting aviation, maritime, and emergency response systems. By replacing older satellites, Iridium 157 contributes to enhanced reliability and speed for global connectivity, critical for both commercial and humanitarian purposes.

## Notable For
- Part of the Iridium NEXT constellation, a critical upgrade for global communications.
- Launched on a Falcon 9 Block 4 rocket, a specific variant of SpaceX’s launch vehicle.
- Identified by COSPAR ID 2018-030C and SCN 43251, key designators for satellite tracking.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: March 30, 2018.
- **Rocket**: Falcon 9 Block 4, a fourth-generation variant of SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
- **Site**: Western Range, a launch area encompassing Vandenberg Space Force Base.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Type**: Artificial satellite.
- **Role**: Communications relay in low Earth orbit.
- **Identifiers**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 2018-030C (international designation).
  - **SCN**: 43251 (U.S. Space Surveillance Network catalog number).

### Mission Context
- **Constellation**: Iridium NEXT, a 66-satellite network replacing the original 1990s-era Iridium system.
- **Purpose**: Provide continuous global coverage for voice, data, and tracking services.
- **Significance**: Supports critical infrastructure in aviation, maritime, and defense sectors, ensuring connectivity in underserved regions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report