Iridium Deploys Two Spare Birds Two New Satellites Will Enhance System Life Span

CONSTELLATIONS

Iridium Deploys Two More Spares

Rockot On The Pad

Arlington - Jun 25, 2002
Iridium Satellite now has two spare birds on orbits following last week's successful launch from Russian's Plesetsk Cosmodrome onboard a Rockot launch vehicle.

According to company officials the launch marks yet another major milestone in Iridium's return to commercial operations following the former Iridium company's spectacular failure in 2000 and which in a multi billion dollar write off.

Combined with the successful launch of five spares last February, this event helps Iridium ensure that its global satellite communications network will continue to provide excellent service to government, corporate and individual users through 2010, if not longer.

Launched by Bremen, Germany-based Eurockot Launch Services on a Rockot launch vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia at 5:34 a.m. EDT today, the additional satellites join 12 existing in-orbit spares to help enhance the longevity of the global voice and data communications network.

"The successful launch and deployment of two additional in-orbit spares further demonstrates that Iridium is a viable company with solid fundamentals and tremendous market opportunities," said Gino Picasso, Iridium Satellite CEO. "Combined with our ever-expanding global distribution network, Iridium is meeting and exceeding our business plan objectives."

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 Inc relaunched commercial Iridium services on March 30, 2001 after it bought the assets of bankrupt Iridium LLC in December 2000 using money lent to it by Boeing as part of a deal that sees Boeing providing on-orbit management services of the Iridium constellation.

CONSTELLATIONS

Xantic To Sell Iridium Services Worldwide As User Base Builds

The Hague - Jun 03, 2002
Xantic and Iridium Satellite LLC have signed a major agreement by which Xantic will offer Iridium's voice and data services through its worldwide network. The move complements Xantic's mobile satellite offering for customers requiring remote communications solutions. It will also strengthen Iridium's global distribution capabilities.

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