Working with Iridium Satellite engineering and space system operations personnel, Raytheon has integrated a flight worthy Main Mission Antenna (MMA) with special test equipment to simulate on-orbit antenna performance.

The team has also succeeded in developing updated antenna control software that will provide enhanced operational flexibility and more robust MMA performance.

"The satellite communication systems continue to deliver essential communication services to and from remote areas around the globe," said Michael Del Checcolo, vice president Engineering for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems.

"Raytheon is proud of its continuing role in ensuring the system's ability to provide superior worldwide coverage for our warfighters and essential industries."

Iridium Satellite provides global satellite voice and data communications solutions with complete coverage of the Earth. Its constellation consists of 66 low earth-orbiting, cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares.

The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world.