2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
sci-techmaven
Launch logAdvertise
  1. Home
  2. Launches
  3. 1997
  4. 1997-082
// orbital launch

Iridium MS-6

Delta 7920-10C launch from Vandenberg (United States) on December 20, 1997, carrying 5 payloads. GCAT records the launch as a success.

December 20, 1997 · 13:16 UTCLaunch 1997-082Launch no. 4,202 in the log
RocketDelta 7920-10C
SpaceportVandenbergpad SLC2W
OutcomeSuccess
Launch agencyBoeingUnited States

Flight

Date and time (UTC)
December 20, 1997, 13:16
Launch designation
1997-082
Mission
Iridium MS-6
Vehicle flight ID
D251

Orbit and payload

Initial apogee
788 km
Payload mass to orbit
3.3 t
Payloads
5
GCAT launch code
OS

Payloads

PayloadDesignationOwnerMission typeMassFate
Iridium 461997-082BNORAD 24905Iridium Inc.Communications662 kgReentered (orbital decay) · May 11, 2019
Iridium 451997-082ANORAD 25104Iridium Inc.Communications662 kgIn orbit
Iridium 471997-082CNORAD 25106Iridium Inc.Communications662 kgReentered (orbital decay) · Sep 1, 2018
Iridium 481997-082DNORAD 25107Iridium Inc.Communications662 kgReentered (orbital decay) · May 5, 2001
Iridium 491997-082ENORAD 25108Iridium Inc.Communications662 kgReentered (orbital decay) · Feb 13, 2018

Source: GCAT launch list and payload catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0). Orbit values are the initial orbit reported for the launch.