# Iridium 5

> communications satellite operated by Iridium Communications

**Wikidata**: [Q111498611](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111498611)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-5

## Summary
Iridium 5 is a communications satellite operated by Iridium Communications as part of the Iridium satellite constellation, which provides global voice and data coverage. Launched on May 5, 1997, aboard a Delta II rocket, it supports telecommunications services worldwide. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1997-020D and is a critical component of the Iridium network.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: May 5, 1997, at 14:55:28 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II (D-242 configuration).
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1997-020D.
- **Operator**: Iridium Communications.
- **Part Of**: Iridium satellite constellation.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 24795.
- **Aliases**: Iridium SV005.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Iridium 5 launched?
A: Iridium 5 was launched on May 5, 1997, at 14:55:28 UTC, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West aboard a Delta II rocket.

### Q: What is the purpose of Iridium 5?
A: Iridium 5 provides voice and data telecommunications services as part of the Iridium satellite constellation, enabling global coverage.

### Q: Is Iridium 5 still operational?
A: The satellite’s operational status is not explicitly stated in the provided data, but it was part of the initial Iridium constellation launched in the 1990s.

## Why It Matters
Iridium 5 plays a vital role in the Iridium satellite constellation, a network designed to deliver reliable voice and data services to remote and underserved regions worldwide. As one of the first-generation satellites in the constellation, it contributed to establishing a global telecommunications infrastructure that supports maritime, aviation, and emergency response operations. The Iridium system, including Iridium 5, addresses the challenge of providing continuous communication coverage across the globe, unaffected by geographical barriers. This satellite underscores the importance of space-based telecommunications in fostering connectivity and safety in an increasingly interdependent world.

## Notable For
- Part of the inaugural Iridium satellite constellation launched in the 1990s to provide global telecommunications coverage.
- Launched aboard the Delta II rocket (D-242 configuration), a workhorse launch vehicle for numerous satellite deployments.
- Identified by unique designations, including COSPAR ID 1997-020D and SCN 24795, reflecting its integration into international satellite tracking systems.

## Body
### Launch Details
Iridium 5 was launched on May 5, 1997, at 14:55:28 UTC, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West in California. The launch vehicle was a Delta II rocket in the D-242 configuration, a variant of the Delta II family known for its reliability in deploying satellites into low Earth orbit.

### Satellite Specifications
- **COSPAR ID**: 1997-020D  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 24795  
- **Aliases**: Iridium SV005  
- **Operator**: Iridium Communications  

### Mission and Constellation Role
As a communications satellite, Iridium 5 is designed to relay voice and data signals as part of the Iridium satellite constellation. This network consists of numerous satellites in low Earth orbit, working in tandem to provide seamless global coverage. The constellation eliminates "dead zones" common in terrestrial communication systems, ensuring connectivity in remote areas, oceans, and polar regions. Iridium 5’s deployment was a key step in establishing this infrastructure, which remains critical for industries such as shipping, aviation, and disaster response.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report