# Iridium 80

> 25469

**Wikidata**: [Q111498112](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111498112)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-80

## Summary
Iridium 80 is an artificial satellite and part of the Iridium satellite constellation, a network of 66 active satellites providing global voice and data communication services. It is identified by the NORAD catalog number 25469 and plays a critical role in enabling worldwide connectivity, particularly in remote or underserved regions. As a component of the Iridium system, it supports real-time communication for aviation, maritime, and emergency response applications.

## Key Facts
- **NORAD Catalog Number**: 25469 (unique identifier for tracking satellites in Earth orbit).
- **Instance Of**: Artificial satellite (human-made object intentionally placed into orbit).
- **Constellation**: Part of the Iridium satellite constellation, designed for global coverage with 66 operational satellites.
- **Primary Function**: Provides voice, data, and tracking services for commercial, government, and personal use.
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: `Entity["Satellite", "25469"]` (used for computational knowledge representation).
- **Operational Status**: Active as of the latest data updates, contributing to the Iridium network’s continuous global coverage.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Iridium 80?
A: Iridium 80 is part of a satellite constellation that enables global communication, including voice calls, data transmission, and emergency services, particularly in areas without traditional infrastructure.

### Q: How does Iridium 80 differ from other communication satellites?
A: Unlike geostationary satellites, Iridium 80 operates in low Earth orbit (LEO) as part of a network of 66 satellites, ensuring continuous coverage across the entire globe, including polar regions.

### Q: Is Iridium 80 still operational?
A: As of the provided data, Iridium 80 remains an active component of the Iridium constellation, supporting real-time communication services worldwide.

## Why It Matters
Iridium 80 is significant as a key element of the Iridium satellite network, the first commercially funded global mobile satellite communications system. Its role in providing uninterrupted connectivity across land, sea, and air bridges critical communication gaps, supporting industries such as aviation, maritime, and disaster response. The Iridium constellation, including Iridium 80, revolutionized telecommunications by offering services in regions inaccessible to terrestrial networks, thereby enhancing global safety, commerce, and exploration. Its low Earth orbit design ensures low latency and universal coverage, distinguishing it from other satellite systems and solidifying its importance in modern communication infrastructure.

## Notable For
- **Global Coverage**: Part of the first satellite constellation to provide truly worldwide communication services, including polar regions.
- **Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Operation**: Operates at an altitude of approximately 780 km, enabling low-latency communication compared to geostationary satellites.
- **Critical Infrastructure**: Supports emergency response, aviation, and maritime operations by ensuring connectivity in remote or disaster-affected areas.
- **Commercial Innovation**: Represents a pioneering privately-funded global telecommunications project, launched in the 1990s.

## Body
### Classification and Identification
Iridium 80 is classified as an artificial satellite, specifically a communications satellite, with the NORAD catalog number 25469. This identifier is used by space surveillance networks to track its position and trajectory in Earth orbit.

### Role in the Iridium Constellation
- **Constellation Structure**: The Iridium network consists of 66 active satellites distributed across six orbital planes, ensuring continuous global coverage.
- **Orbital Characteristics**: Satellites like Iridium 80 operate in low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of roughly 780 km, completing an orbit every 100 minutes.
- **Functionality**: Each satellite communicates with adjacent satellites via Ka-band cross-links, creating a web of connectivity that relays data to ground stations in real time.

### Technical and Operational Details
- **Launch and Deployment**: While specific launch dates for individual Iridium satellites are not provided in the source material, the first-generation Iridium constellation was deployed between 1997 and 2002.
- **Service Provision**: Iridium 80 supports a range of services, including voice communication, short-burst data messaging, and aircraft tracking, using L-band frequencies for user communication.
- **Design and Lifespan**: Built with a planned operational lifespan of approximately 10 years, many first-generation Iridium satellites, including Iridium 80, have exceeded initial longevity expectations through careful orbital management.

### Legacy and Impact
As part of the inaugural Iridium constellation, Iridium 80 contributed to a paradigm shift in global telecommunications. Its design emphasized resilience and redundancy, with the network capable of maintaining service even if one satellite failed. This robust architecture set a precedent for modern satellite communication systems, emphasizing the importance of LEO constellations for universal connectivity.