# Iridium 22

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111498584](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111498584)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-22

## Summary
Iridium 22 is a communications satellite launched on August 21, 1997, as part of the Iridium satellite constellation, which provides global voice and data coverage. It was deployed using a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1997-043E and NASA ID 24907.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 21, 1997
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II
- **COSPAR ID**: 1997-043E
- **NASA ID (SCN)**: 24907
- **Part Of**: Iridium satellite constellation
- **Aliases**: Iridium SV022
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of Iridium 22?
A: Iridium 22 is a communications satellite designed to support global telecommunications as part of the Iridium constellation, enabling voice and data services worldwide.

### Q: When and how was Iridium 22 launched?
A: Iridium 22 was launched on August 21, 1997, aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West in California.

### Q: Is Iridium 22 still operational?
A: While the satellite’s individual operational status is not specified, the Iridium constellation remains active, providing continuous global coverage since its initial deployment in the 1990s.

## Why It Matters
Iridium 22 plays a critical role in the Iridium satellite constellation, a pioneering network that revolutionized global telecommunications by offering seamless coverage across land, sea, and air. As one of the original satellites launched in 1997, it contributed to the creation of the first truly worldwide communication system, addressing the challenge of connectivity in remote and underserved regions. The constellation’s design, including satellites like Iridium 22, ensures continuous service through a web of interconnected satellites in low Earth orbit. This infrastructure supports emergency response, maritime and aviation communications, and remote industrial operations, demonstrating the satellite’s enduring impact on global connectivity and safety.

## Notable For
- **Part of the First-Generation Iridium Constellation**: Launched in 1997 as part of the initial 66-satellite network.
- **Delta II Launch Vehicle**: Deployed using a rocket known for its reliability in launching numerous satellites and spacecraft.
- **Global Coverage Contribution**: Integral to providing voice and data services to remote areas without traditional communication infrastructure.
- **Long-Term Operational Design**: Built to support the Iridium network’s continuous operation for over two decades.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Iridium 22 was launched on August 21, 1997, at 00:12:00 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West in California. The satellite was carried to orbit by a Delta II rocket, a workhorse launch vehicle for NASA and commercial missions during the 1990s and 2000s.

### Technical Specifications
- **Identifiers**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1997-043E
  - **NASA ID (SCN)**: 24907
  - **Alias**: Iridium SV022
- **Classification**: Communications satellite (artificial satellite designed for telecommunications).

### Mission and Role
As a component of the Iridium satellite constellation, Iridium 22 operates in low Earth orbit (LEO) to provide global voice and data communication services. The constellation uses a network of satellites to ensure continuous coverage, with each satellite cross-linking with neighboring spacecraft to relay signals worldwide.

### Status
While the individual operational status of Iridium 22 is not explicitly detailed in the source material, the broader Iridium constellation has undergone upgrades over the years, including the launch of second- and third-generation satellites. The original satellites like Iridium 22 were designed for a lifespan of approximately 7–10 years, though many remained operational beyond their initial design life.

## References

1. SATCAT