# Iridium 7

> communications satellite operated by Iridium Communications

**Wikidata**: [Q6069616](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6069616)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_7)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-7

## Summary
Iridium 7 is a communications satellite that is part of the Iridium satellite constellation, operated by Iridium Communications. It was launched on May 5, 1997, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West aboard a Delta II rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Communications satellite (designed for telecommunications).
- **Operator**: Iridium Communications.
- **Part of**: Iridium satellite constellation (providing global voice and data coverage).
- **Launch date**: May 5, 1997, at 14:55:28 UTC.
- **Launch vehicle**: Delta II (model D-242).
- **Launch site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West.
- **Alternative name**: Iridium SV007.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1997-020B.
- **NSSDC ID**: 1997-020B.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Iridium 7?
A: Iridium 7 is a communications satellite operated by Iridium Communications and part of the Iridium satellite constellation, which provides global voice and data coverage.

### Q: When and where was Iridium 7 launched?
A: Iridium 7 was launched on May 5, 1997, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West at 14:55:28 UTC.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Iridium 7?
A: It was launched aboard a Delta II rocket (model D-242).

### Q: How does Iridium 7 fit into the Iridium constellation?
A: As part of the Iridium satellite constellation, Iridium 7 contributes to providing worldwide voice and data coverage, ensuring connectivity across remote or underserved regions.

## Why It Matters
Iridium 7 is a foundational component of the Iridium satellite constellation, which revolutionized global telecommunications by enabling voice and data coverage in areas with no terrestrial infrastructure. Its launch in 1997 helped establish the first low Earth orbit (LEO) network for mobile satellite communications, bridging gaps for industries like maritime, aviation, and emergency response. By providing ubiquitous connectivity, Iridium 7 supports critical operations where reliable communication is a matter of safety and efficiency, making it indispensable for modern global communications.

## Notable For
- **Global coverage**: Contributes to the Iridium constellation’s unique ability to provide seamless voice and data coverage across the entire Earth, including polar regions.
- **Pioneering role**: Part of the initial Iridium satellite deployment (1997), which established one of the first operational LEO constellations for mobile communications.
- **Operational resilience**: Managed by Iridium Communications, ensuring continuous service for mission-critical applications like disaster response and remote monitoring.
- **Launch heritage**: Deployed via the Delta II rocket, a historically reliable expendable launch system with a high success rate for satellite missions.

## Body
### Overview
Iridium 7 is a communications satellite forming part of the Iridium satellite constellation, operated by Iridium Communications. It is designed to support global telecommunications, including voice and data services, particularly in regions lacking traditional infrastructure.

### Technical Details
- **COSPAR ID**: 1997-020B (assigned by the Committee on Space Research).
- **NSSDC ID**: 1997-020B (National Space Science Data Center identifier).
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 24793.
- **Alternative designation**: Iridium SV007 (satellite vehicle number within the constellation).

### Launch Information
- **Date and time**: May 5, 1997, at 14:55:28 UTC.
- **Launch site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 West, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
- **Launch vehicle**: Delta II model D-242, a retired expendable launch system.
- **Significance of launch**: Marked a key milestone in the deployment phase of the Iridium constellation, enabling initial global coverage.

### Constellation Integration
As a member of the Iridium satellite constellation, Iridium 7 works collaboratively with other satellites to provide uninterrupted voice and data coverage worldwide. The constellation’s LEO design ensures low-latency communication, supporting diverse applications such as IoT, emergency services, and international travel. Its operational structure allows for overlapping coverage, minimizing dead zones and maximizing accessibility.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report