Iridium Next Satellite Launch

Falcon 9 rocket.

Iridium next satellite launch.

T minus 10 years to launch. The penultimate iridium next launch occurred on july 25 2018 launching another 10 iridium next satellites. The iridium next satellites are based on thales alenia s elitebus 1000 extended lifetime bus satellite platform each weighing 860 kilograms at launch and measuring 3 1 by 2 4 by 1 5 meters in size in its stowed configuration. Every component is designed for maximum longevity and to support a seamless transition from the existing satellite constellation to the new constellation.

Not only did this fifth launch increase the total number of iridium next satellites in space to 50 but it was also the second iridium next launch to use a flight proven falcon 9 rocket. Iridium next will replace the current constellation while retaining the 66 satellite leo low earth orbit architecture with six in orbit spares and nine ground spares. Over the next two years iridium sent an additional 65 satellites into low earth orbit to completely replace the original satellite constellation. The first generation launch campaign was completed in 2002 for a total of 95 satellites launched.

On march 30 2018 iridium successfully launched the fifth set of 10 iridium next satellites into orbit from vandenberg air force base in california. The iridium next iv mission launched with ten satellites on december 23 2017. The iridium next network covers the entire earth including poles oceans and airways with 66. Specifically the company announced the execution of a fixed price contract with thales alenia space for the design and construction of satellites for the iridium next constellation.

The satellite is also named sentinel 6 michael freilich in honor of the late director of nasa s earth science. The final iridium next launch took place on january 11 2019 less than 2 years after the first launch. Announced in june 2010 its comprehensive plan for funding building and deploying its next generation satellite constellation iridium next to replace the original iridium constellation. The sixth launch on may 22 2018 sent another 5 satellites into leo.

Click to explore exhibit. A spacex falcon 9 rocket will launch the sentinel 6a or jason cs a satellite. The fifth mission iridium next v launched with ten satellites on march 30 2018. Iridium next hosting payloads on a communications constellation space segment launch mission status hosted payload missions references.