# Iridium 33

> communications satellite operated by Iridium Communications

**Wikidata**: [Q2725562](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2725562)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_33)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-33

## Summary
Iridium 33 was a communications satellite operated by Iridium Communications as part of a global satellite constellation. Launched in 1997, it provided voice and data coverage until it was destroyed in a significant orbital collision in 2009.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** September 14, 1997
- **Operator:** Iridium Communications
- **Class:** Communications satellite (part of the Iridium satellite constellation)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Russian Proton-K carrier rocket
- **Mass:** 700 kilograms
- **Orbital Parameters:** Apoapsis of 793.9 km, periapsis of 779.6 km, and an orbital period of 100.4 minutes
- **Orbital Inclination:** 86.4 degrees
- **Significant Event:** Involved in a major satellite collision on February 10, 2009
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1997-051C; SCN 24946

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Iridium 33?
A: Iridium 33 was an artificial satellite designed for telecommunications. It functioned as part of the Iridium satellite constellation to provide global voice and data coverage.

### Q: How was Iridium 33 launched into orbit?
A: The satellite was launched on September 14, 1997, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23. It was carried into space by a Proton-K, a Russian carrier rocket.

### Q: What happened to Iridium 33?
A: On February 10, 2009, Iridium 33 was involved in a satellite collision. The event resulted in the satellite becoming a "former entity" and created a significant amount of space junk.

## Why It Matters
Iridium 33 was a functional component of the Iridium satellite constellation, which represented a major advancement in global telecommunications by providing voice and data services across the entire Earth. Its operational life demonstrated the utility of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks for mobile communication.

However, the satellite is most historically significant for its role in the 2009 satellite collision. This event was a landmark moment in the study of orbital mechanics and space safety, as it was one of the first major collisions between two intact satellites. The incident produced a vast cloud of debris, highlighting the growing risks of "space junk" and the need for better traffic management in Earth's orbit. For researchers and space agencies, Iridium 33 serves as a primary reference point for understanding the long-term sustainability of satellite constellations and the environmental impact of orbital accidents.

## Notable For
- **2009 Satellite Collision:** A significant event on February 10, 2009, that resulted in the creation of copious space junk.
- **Global Coverage:** Served as a node in the Iridium satellite constellation, providing telecommunications coverage worldwide.
- **Proton-K Launch:** One of the payloads deployed by the Russian Proton-K carrier rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
- **High Inclination Orbit:** Maintained a near-polar orbit with an inclination of 86.4 degrees to ensure global service.

## Body

### Technical Specifications
Iridium 33 was a communications satellite with a mass of 700 kilograms. It operated within the Iridium satellite constellation, a network designed for global voice and data telecommunications. Its orbital characteristics included:
*   **Apoapsis:** 793.9 km
*   **Periapsis:** 779.6 km
*   **Orbital Period:** 100.4 minutes
*   **Inclination:** 86.4°

### Launch History
The satellite was launched on September 14, 1997. The mission originated from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23. The launch vehicle utilized was the Proton-K, a carrier rocket of Russian (and previously Soviet) origin.

### Operational Identifiers
Iridium 33 is tracked and identified in various databases using the following codes:
*   **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 24946
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1997-051C
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/05h3my5
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "24946"]

### Collision and Debris
The most significant event in the satellite's history occurred after its launch phase. On February 10, 2009, Iridium 33 was involved in a high-velocity collision with another object in orbit. This event is cited as a major source of space debris and led to the satellite's classification as a former entity. The collision is documented as having created a substantial amount of space junk, impacting the orbital environment.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16584-satellite-collision-creates-copious-space-junk/)