Iridium
Iridium sheds more light on direct-to-smartphone plan
Initial direct-to-smartphone services from Iridium’s constellation will support occasional communications for emergencies and other unforeseen needs in remote areas worldwide, CEO Matt Desch said Oct. 20.
Report: Ligado’s wireless network will interfere with Iridium and some GPS services
An independent review of Ligado’s planned deployment of a terrestrial wireless network concluded that it will likely interfere with GPS signals and with space-based communications services provided by Iridium.
SpaceX to launch five spare Iridium satellites
Iridium will launch five of its remaining six ground spare satellites on a Falcon 9 rideshare mission in 2023, the company announced Sept. 8.
Iridium enters development deal to bring its network to smartphones
Satellite operator Iridium Communications said July 26 it has entered into a development agreement to enable its technology in smartphones.
Iridium and General Dynamics submit joint bid for Space Development Agency contract
Communications satellite operator Iridum and General Dynamics Mission Systems submitted a joint bid to operate and manage the Space Development Agency’s low Earth orbit constellation.
Iridium in talks to launch more backup satellites this year
Iridium expects to take advantage of a rideshare opportunity this year to launch up to five of the six spare satellites it has been storing in Arizona.
Satellite operators see acquisition opportunities
Companies that operate both geostationary satellites and low Earth orbit constellations say they see opportunities to acquire complementary firms but cautioned that a long-projected consolidation of the industry isn’t likely in the near future.
U.S. Army selects Iridium to develop payload for low Earth orbit satellite navigation system
Iridium Communications announced June 24 it received a U.S. Army contract to develop a payload that could be used to broadcast data such as timing or location signals.
Satellite veterans warn of space SPAC downside
The frenzy of activity swirling around SPACs is pushing space into a new era of risk-taking, according to two satellite industry veterans.
Relativity wins Iridium contract, selects West Coast launch site
Small launch vehicle developer Relativity Space has won a contract to launch six Iridium replacement satellites, which it plans to carry out from a new launch site it proposes to develop at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Iridium says coronavirus clouding revenue projection
The coronavirus pandemic is making it harder for Iridium to line up customers for its recently upgraded satellite constellation, but isn’t expected to reverse the company’s six-year annual growth streak, according to CEO Matt Desch.
FCC to greenlight Ligado’s 5G network despite strong pushback from the Pentagon
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is poised to approve a spectrum application from Ligado Networks that would allow the company to deploy a wireless communications service that the Pentagon says will drown out GPS signals.
Iridium would pay to deorbit its 30 defunct satellites — for the right price
Iridium Communications completed disposal of the last of its 65 working legacy satellites Dec. 28, while leaving open the possibility of paying an active-debris-removal company to deorbit 30 that failed in the decades since the operator deployed its first-generation constellation.
4.1 billion people online • Iridium completes $1.45 billion refinancing • SES exec to chair Space Data Association
An estimated 53.6% of the world’s population now has access to the internet, according to a new report from the International Telecommunication Union.
ST Engineering completes Newtec purchase • Azerspace-2 reaches 80% fill rate
Singapore Technologies Engineering said Oct. 1 it completed its acquisition of Belgian ground infrastructure provider Newtec.
LEO constellation operators OneWeb, Iridium announce collaboration
Iridium and OneWeb, two companies pursuing different types of telecommunications businesses from low Earth orbit, said Sept. 17 that they would work together on a combined service offering.
Iridium lands seven-year, $738.5 million Defense Department contract
Iridium said Sept. 16 that the new seven-year, $738.5 million contract ensures continuity for voice, data, broadcast and other services to Defense Department and associated users.
Telstra-NBN combo ruled out • Aireon launches free emergency service • Globalstar buys IP from supplier
Australia’s competition watchdog agency ruled out the idea of Telstra buying the National Broadband Network.
Starlink failures highlight space sustainability concerns
The failure of at least five percent of the first batch of SpaceX Starlink satellites has put a spotlight on the growing concerns that satellite megaconstellations could litter low Earth orbit with hundreds of dead satellites.
Iridium says DoD’s new unlimited service contract renewal nearly complete
Iridium CEO Matt Desch said April 23 the company expects to finalize a multi-year renewal of its Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) contract with the Defense Department in the next 30 days.
