Current Status, Iridium

From: Walter Nissen (wnissen@tfn.net)
Date: Tue Jun 29 2004 - 20:43:23 EDT

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    Greetings, all,
    
    Below is a diagram showing the current status of the Iridial
    constellation, using what are believed to be the only known unambiguous
    names for these satellites.
    
    There are 11 operating satellites in each of 6 planes, designated P0
    through P5.  The objects are numbered 0 through A in each plane.  The
    objects follow one another across the sky in numerical order; so do the
    planes.  An R, Q, etc., is appended to a satellite which has replaced
    another.  Each plane seems to have at least one spare satellite,
    designated B, C, etc.  Many failed satellites are designated S, T, etc.
    Horizontal positioning of the name indicates its placement within or
    between planes.
    
    Many thanks to Rob Matson, Rod Sladen, Mike McCants, Bj"orn Gimle (boy,
    I hope I'm not leaving anyone out!) for their assistance and vigilance.
    
    Cheers.
    
    Walter Nissen                   wnissen@tfn.net
    -81.8637, 41.3735, 256m elevation
    
    ---
    
    It makes a difference whether you call it September 11 or call it 2001.
    If you call it 2001, then it can recede into the distance, into history.
    If you call it September 11th, then it can visit you again and again,
    living forever, without end.
    
    ---
    
                  Structural Diagram of the Iridial Constellation
    
        P00  64     P10  46*    P20  32     P30   5     P40R 84     P50  39
        P01  65     P11  47     P21  33     P31   6     P41  10*    P51  80
        P02  66     P12R 11*    P22  57     P32   7     P42  54*    P52  17
        P03  67     P13  49     P23  58     P33   8     P43  12     P53  15
        P04  68     P14  26     P24  59     P34   4     P44  13     P54  81
        P05  74     P15R  3     P25  60     P35  37*    P45R 83     P55R 82
        P06  72     P16  22     P26  55     P36  61     P46  16     P56  41
        P07R 75     P17  23     P27  28     P37  19     P47  50*    P57  43
        P08  70     P18  76     P28  29     P38  34     P48  56     P58  18*
        P09  62     P19  25     P29R 31     P39  35*    P49  52*    P59  42
        P0A  63     P1A  45     P2AR 30     P3A  36     P4A  53*    P5A  40
    
        P0 D 14*    P1 D 20*    P2 B 90     P3 B 51     P4 B 86     P5 B 77
        P0 E 21*   P1 S 24*     P2 C 91     P3 C 97      P4 S 911  P5 S 920
       P0 S 73     P1 T 71      P2 D 94     P3 D 98    P4 T 914    P5 T 44
                    P1 V 69     P2 E 95                             P5 W 38
                                P2 F 96
                                  P5 U 921 <------------------------------<
      P4 W  2 <----------no longer to scale-------------------<
    *   numbers have been confused (also 9nn numbers), be sure to use P-number
    
    the 2 simulator objects are not included
    the 5 decayed objects are not included
    
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