Structural and qualification models of the Iridium satellite are undergoing testing at Lockheed Martin, California before the first scheduled launches of the $3.34 billion telecommunications system later this year.
The craft will allow subscribers equipped with pocket-size hand-held telephones to communicate anywhere in the world (Flight International, 4-10 October 1995). Lockheed is building 125 satellites for Motorola under a $700 million contract. Eleven operational craft will be placed into each of six low- Earth orbit planes, with 66 craft relaying signals to each other via crosslinks, to provide continuous global telephone transmission. Spare parts and replacement satellites are also being built.
A McDonnell Douglas Delta 2 booster will launch the first of 11 five-satellite sets later this year, with launches continuing to the year 2000. Russia has a contract to launch seven three-satellite sets on Proton boosters, and the Chinese Long March 2C may be used to launch two single satellites.
These launch plans are, however, not definite.
Source: Flight International
