Five New Satellites Will Enhance System Life Span
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 13, 2002 – 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.
