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Iridium Begins Planning Future Satellite Replenishment and Replacement Plan
Bethesda MD (SPX) Feb 09, 2006 Iridium Satellite has revealed that it will start a major engineering study program in 2006 as the next step toward developing its next-generation satellite constellation. Iridium provides mobile communication services globally through a constellation of 66 cross-linked, low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. Independent studies have projected that the service life of the existing constellation will extend until 2014 or longer under various configuration options. "It is time for us to begin the process of defining and shaping the satellite constellation and network architecture that will carry Iridium Satellite into the future beyond 2014," said Iridium Satellite executive vice president, Greg Ewert. "Over the next two quarters, we will contract with major industry firms to collect and analyze performance data from our existing satellites. "This data will provide the foundation for our next-generation system. It will also enable us to begin looking at the technology and products that will be needed for the next two decades and beyond. It's very exciting for us to be engaging industry on everything from laser cross-linked technology to a product portfolio that might consist of IPTV, on-demand radio and video or enhanced GPS." Ewert noted that the current satellite system has sufficient capacity to sustain continued growth in both voice and data traffic well into the future. "We have every reason to expect that many of the existing satellites will still be functioning into the 2020s, and we intend to ensure that the transition from the old to the new satellites will be seamless with backward compatibility," Ewert said. "We will also continue to provide uninterrupted service to our customers, who are depending on Iridium for a wide range of mission-critical applications." Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Iridium Satellite Satellite Constellation - multiple satellite deployments in LEO and Beyond
Inmarsat Supports IT Training In Rural Lebanon
Beirut, Lebanon (SPX) Jan 24, 2006A project that aims to bring computer and Internet access to young people in Lebanon's most neglected and battle-scarred region is being supported by Inmarsat. |
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