Iridium Satellite will re-launch its mobile, global communications satellite system service on 1 June after a remarkable recovery of a project which appeared doomed last year.
Iridium Satellite purchased $5 billion worth of the assets of former Motorola-led bankrupt satellite system for $25 million last year. The new company has enhanced the system's datalinks, including direct dial-up access and direct internet connectivity.
The system, operated by Boeing, will be aimed at government, industrial and humanitarian relief markets rather than the private users who were the focus of the original system, which was struck down by low demand, high costs and an expensive handset that was likened in size and weight to a brick.
Iridium Satellite already has a $72 million, two-year contract with the US Department of Defense for unlimited airtime for up to 20,000 federal government subscribers.
Source: Flight International