Iridium Satellite Announces Successful Deployment of Spares
Iridium Satellite LLC, which
bought the assets of bankrupt Iridium LLC in December 2000, announced today
the successful deployment of five new spare satellites. This launch marks a
significant milestone in the resurrection of the Iridium service and brand.
Less than a year after launching commercial service and nearly two years since
the original company closed its doors and planned to destroy the satellite
constellation, Iridium Satellite has taken a significant step to extending the
life of its global satellite communications network into 2010 and beyond.
Launched by The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) on a Delta II launch vehicle
from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Feb. 11, the additional satellites join
seven existing in-orbit spares to help enhance the longevity of its global
voice and data communications network. The five satellites have ascended into
their assigned orbits and are fully functional.
Iridium Satellite plans to
launch two more spares in June to complete planned upkeep of the
constellation.
“The successful launch and deployment of five additional on-orbit spares
demonstrates Iridium’s long-term commitment to our customers and overall
business objectives,” said Gino Picasso, Iridium Satellite CEO.
“Over the
last several months, we’ve seen an increased interest and demand for the
mission-critical capabilities our services can provide, and as a result, we
are ahead of our business plan.
This launch offers further proof that Iridium
is very much in business and poised to leverage the many new opportunities we
see in the marketplace.”
Consisting of 66 operational satellites plus spares, the Iridium system
provides industrial, government and individual customers with global voice and
data services specifically to communicate to and from remote areas.
Based on
Iridium’s internal estimates and an external study by an independent company,
the satellite constellation is expected to last until mid-2010.
Iridium Satellite launched commercial service on March 30, 2001 and has
experienced significant and growing demand for its global communications
solutions.
The company introduced mobile Internet access worldwide in June
2001 and has since launched targeted solutions for the aeronautical, maritime
and other vertical markets.
About Iridium Satellite LLC
Headquartered in Arlington, Va., Iridium Satellite LLC is the only
provider of truly 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 (LEO) satellites operated by The
Boeing Company, 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 &
gas and heavy construction.
Iridium currently provides service to the U.S.
Department of Defense under a multi-year contract.
Iridium works with more
than 20 seasoned service partners to sell and support the service globally.
For more information, please visit http://www.iridium.com or call 866-947-4348
(in the U.S.); +1-480-752-5155 (internationally).
