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Track ORBCOMM FM 8 Satellite in Real Time

Detailed information about ORBCOMM FM 8 satellite

Designator id: 1997-084A

Description of ORBCOMM FM 8 Satellite:

ORBCOMM FM-8 was part of a commercial venture to provide global messaging services using a constellation of 26 low-Earth orbiting satellites. The planned system is designed to handle up to 5 million messages from users utilizing small, portable terminals to transmit and receive messages directly to the satellites. The first 2 satellites of the constellation (95-017A + B) experienced communication problems after launch, but were recovered and placed into operational status. The nominal 26 satellite constellation will be deployed by 1997, with the potential for an additional 8 satellite plane and 2 more polar orbiters depending on demands for increased coverage. The vehicles will be controlled from a single control center located in Dulles, VA.

The spacecraft was a circular shaped disk. Circular panels hinged from each side after launch to expose solar cells. These panels articulated in 1-axis to track the sun and provide 160W. Deployed spacecraft measured 3.6 m from end to end with 2.3 m span across the circular disks. VHF telemetry was at 57.6 kbps. The spacecraft contained an on-board GPS navigation and timing system, and 14 volt power system. Gravity gradient stabilization provided 4 degs control with magnetic torques for damping cold gas (nitrogen) propulsion system.

The spacecraft carried 17 data processors and 7 antennas and was designed to handle 50,000 messages per hour. The long boom was a 2.6 meter VHF/UHF gateway antenna. Receive: 2400 bps at 148 - 149.9 MHz. Transmit: 4800 bps at 137 - 138 MHz and 400.05 to 400.15 MHz. The system used X.400 (CCITT 1988) addressing. Message size was 6 to 250 bytes typical (no maximum).


Technical data:

Launch Date: 1997-12-23
Launch Vehicle: Pegasus
Launch Site: Wallops Island, United States
Mass: 24.0 kg

Funding Agencies:

ORBCOMM (United States)

Disciplines:

Communications

Source: Nasa

Two Line Element Set (TLE):
1 25112U 97084A   12338.04761763  .00000320  00000-0  15851-3 0  2687
2 25112 045.0152 153.9437 0007310 284.5596 075.4455 14.35627597781906

Last TLE update on :2012-12-03

Find more details about ORBCOMM FM 8 Satellite