he first
Boeing Delta II rocket launch of 2002 will carry the latest additions
to a satellite constellation that delivers essential communications
services to remote areas of the globe.

Five Iridium Satellite LLC satellites will be carried into
low-earth orbit by a Boeing Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force
Base, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 8, 2002. The Delta program is part of
Boeing Space and Communications, a unit of The Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA).

The satellites will serve as spares for Iridium Satellite’s global
voice and data communications network. This mission (IS-1) marks the
101st Boeing Delta II mission since 1989 and the 12th Iridium launch
since 1997. Between May 1997 and November 1998, Delta II vehicles
successfully placed 55 of Iridium’s satellites into low-earth orbit.

The Boeing Delta team has extensive experience with dual and
multiple payload missions for commercial and government customers.
Recent successful dual payload missions include Jason-1/TIMED and
EO-1/SAC-C.

Iridium Satellite LLC provides global satellite voice and data
solutions with complete coverage of the Earth (including oceans,
airways and Polar Regions). Through a constellation of 66 low-earth
orbiting satellites operated by Boeing, Iridium delivers essential
communications services to and from remote areas where no other form
of communication is available. The service is ideally suited for
industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military,
emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas and
heavy constructions.

Iridium currently provides service to the U.S. Department of
Defense under a multi-year contract. Iridium works with more than 20
service partners to sell and support the service globally.

In December 2000, Iridium Satellite LLC acquired assets of Iridium
LLC including the satellite constellation, terrestrial network,
Iridium real property and intellectual capital.

Boeing Launch Services markets and sells both Sea Launch and Delta
commercial launch services. A separate organization continues to
handle U.S. government marketing and sales for the Boeing Delta. Both
marketing organizations are located in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Boeing Space and Communications (S&C), with headquarters in Seal
Beach, Calif., is the world’s largest space and communications
company. A unit of The Boeing Co., S&C provides integrated solutions
in launch services, human space flight and exploration, missile
defense, and information and communications.

It is NASA’s largest contractor; a leading provider of space-based
communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile
defense; and a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance. The global enterprise has customers worldwide and
manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Australia.

Launch Broadcast Information

  • (Ku-band)
  • Feb. 8 — 0930-1130 PT
  • Galaxy 11/16K (CONUS)
  • Galaxy 11 is at 91 degrees West
  • 36 MHz transponder
  • Downlink Freq: 12018 Vertical

IS-1 Mission Web site:

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/space-delta/delta2/is-1/