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Iridium
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Program: Iridium. Objective: Communications. The Iridium system is a planned commercial communications network comprised of a constellation of 66 LEO spacecraft. The system will use L-Band to provide global communications services through portable handsets. A total of 125 spacecraft will be built by Lockheed for more than $700M. Commercial service are planned to begin in 1998. Total cost of the project is estimated at $3.45 billion and subscriber fees are estimated at $3 per minute. The system will employ 15-20 ground stations with a master control complex in Landsdowne, VA, a backup in Italy, and a third engineering centre in Chandler, AZ.
Financial/Operational:
6 planes x 11 satellites + 6 spares. Delta II Vandenberg launch of 5 Iridium mobile satellites #4 to #8
Financial/Operational:
Delta 2 launch 5 Motorola satellites from Vandenberg. Ir launch #7, 39 units in orbit.
Financial/Operational:
Delta 2 launch ninth/final 1997 5 units Iridium (46 units for 1997)
Financial/Operational:
China Long March 2 C band two stage booster launch 2 satellites, 41 unit launch - 3 suspect.
Financial/Operational:
Proton launch 7 units from Baikonur (2nd set Iridiums)
Financial/Operational:
Delta II Vandenberg launch of 5 Iridium mobile satellites- third set
Financial/Operational:
Delta II Vandenberg launch of 5 Iridium mobile satellites- fourth set (22 to 26).
Major Events:
- 1998 April 7 - Iridium 68. Spacecraft: LM 700. Mass: 689 kg (1,518 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K / 17S40.
The Proton launch vehicle placed the Iridium cluster and the Block DM2 stage into low parking orbit. The DM2 fired twice to enter the deployment orbit and dispensed the seven satellites, which used their own propulsion units to reach operational altitude. The DM2 stage then fired again to deorbit itself, to avoid creating space debris. SV068 placed in Plane 1. Ascending node 167.8 degrees.
- 2002 February 11 - Iridium . Spacecraft: LM 700. Mass: 690 kg (1,520 lb). Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000.
Mobile Telephony satellite. Return to flight after GEM solid booster failure on GBI launch. Launch delayed from February 8, 9 and 10. Five Motorola Iridium satellites were launched for Iridium Satellite LLC, the new company that bought out the bankrupt Iridium LLC. This was the first system replenishment launch since the bankruptcy.
- 2002 June 20 - Iridium SV98 . Spacecraft: LM 700. Mass: 690 kg (1,520 lb). Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Rokot.
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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2007 except where otherwise noted.
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