Iridium
FIRST UP Satcom | Avio takes 10M euro loan • Iridium launches Certus • NanoAvionics opens UK office
Italian rocket builder Avio is borrowing 10 million euros from the European Investment Bank. The funds will support new space propulsion technologies for Europe’s next-generation Vega C and Ariane 6 launchers, the company said.
SpaceX completes Iridium Next constellation
SpaceX launched the final 10 Iridium Next satellites into orbit Jan. 11, completing its first mission of the year and last for its largest non-government customer, Iridium Communications.
Iridium open to rideshares for spare satellite launches
Iridium Communications is less than a week away from the final launch of its 75-satellite Iridium Next constellation, but could opt to launch six additional satellites if the right rideshare opportunity opens up, CEO Matt Desch said Jan. 3.
SpaceX’s final Iridium Next launch delayed to January
The new launch date, announced Dec. 7 by customer Iridium Communications, was driven by the additional two weeks SpaceX ended up needing to launch Spaceflight Industries’ “SmallSat Express” dedicated rideshare mission.
Iridium expects Aireon to pay off $200M debt by end of 2021
Aireon, the aircraft-tracking venture Iridium Communications founded to help finance construction of the now nearly completed Iridium Next Constellation, is close to securing a new credit line that should allow the firm to catch up on $200 million in overdue payload hosting fees.
Final Iridium Next launch scheduled for Dec. 30 Falcon 9 mission
The last mission needed to complete Iridium Communications’ second-generation satellite constellation is scheduled for Dec. 30, Iridium CEO Matt Desch said today.
FIRST UP Satcom | Intelsat invests in AMN • Iridium gets $44 million DISA contract extension • NSR finds slow growth in satellite operator revenues
Intelsat invested in Africa Mobile Networks (AMN), a U.K.-headquartered group of companies with telecom infrastructure in Africa, to reach "ultra-rural" parts of the sub-Saharan side of the continent.
FIRST UP Satcom | Thales InFlyt eyes global Ka-band network • Iridium to connect Ocean Cleanup effort • SES opens Isle of Man teleport
Thales InFlyt's new CEO Philippe Carette said he wants the company to offer worldwide Ka-band satellite connectivity for aircraft, a service that would position the company as a competitor with Viasat and Inmarsat.
Iridium posts sharply higher revenue, forecasts decade-long capex holiday
Iridium Communications had what Chief Financial Officer Thomas Fitzpatrick called its “best quarterly revenue growth in company history,” logging $135 million for April, May and June, an increase of 21 percent over the same time last year.
SES, with FCC’s blessing, says O3b constellation can reach global coverage
SES says its constellation of medium Earth orbit O3b satellites now has the ability to expand from an equatorial system to a global system thanks to new approvals from U.S. telecom regulators.
NBN preps business broadband offer with underused Sky Muster capacity
An NBN executive estimated the business service will use 15 percent of the capacity on the Sky Muster satellite system.
SpaceX launches five Iridium satellites and twin science spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 still sporting soot from its last mission successfully launched May 22 with five Iridium Next satellites and two science satellites for NASA and the German Research Center for Geosciences.
Iridium breaks Inmarsat monopoly on maritime safety communications
The UN certified Iridium Communications to provide Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) services, ending Inmarsat’s monopoly on the internationally required service for ships, Iridium said May 21.
Aireon partner invests $69 million in space-based aircraft tracking system
Aireon raised $69 million from a British partner, enabling the aircraft-tracking startup to begin making hosting payments to Iridium Communications.
Iridium to complete next-generation satellite deployment by this fall
Iridium expects to have its next-generation satellite constellation deployed and in service by this fall as it looks to win approvals for new maritime and aviation applications.
LEO constellation rush not a threat to Iridium, CEO says
Large constellations of satellites planned for low Earth orbit (LEO) present little threat to Iridium’s business despite sharing the same orbit, CEO Matt Desch said April 26.
Falcon 9 deploys Iridium satellites after SpaceX ends video citing NOAA’s orders
SpaceX delivered its latest batch of Iridium Next satellites to orbit Friday morning, but stopped its live video feed nine minutes into the launch citing orders from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Satellite communications industry prepares response to future disasters
“We can put a satellite phone in the hands of folks who don’t know how to use it and it won’t make a hill of beans difference,” said Ken Flowers, Iridium Communications vice president government.
Iridium raising new debt to cover late Aireon payments
A company that fleet operator Iridium formed to help finance its second-generation satellite constellation is taking longer than expected to pay Iridium back for carrying its sensor network to orbit.
