Iridium said it has begun taking steps to replace a lost communication satellite with one of eight in-orbit spares. The collision of a 2,000-pound decommissioned Russian satellite with the smaller Iridium craft on February 10 created a swirling field of debris but left only a tiny gap in Iridium’s 66-satellite constellation, resulting in brief outages for some customers.
Spacecraft
February 27, 2009 - 8:45am
Pilots who have grown accustomed to flying with up-to-the- minute weather graphics and information broadcast to the cockpit through the XM or Sirius satellite radio services are probably aware that the companies successfully completed their “merger of equals” last year. The deal created a combined entity called Sirius XM Radio Inc.
January 29, 2009 - 9:46am
Inmarsat last month began repositioning its I-4 satellite constellation in an effort aimed at providing full global SwiftBroadband coverage and improving network performance. Moving the three I-4 satellites into new orbital slots 24,000 miles in space is a complicated task, but officials say the result will be worth the effort.
October 31, 2008 - 11:40am
Satcom system maker TrueNorth Avionics last month introduced a two-channel airborne telephone system for the cabin called Simphone Prelude that is designed for installation in light jets and turboprops. It is based on Simphone equipment for large jets and features the company’s ClearCall technology, menu-driven handsets and all-digital architecture.
October 7, 2008 - 9:40am
Magellan Jets announced launch of its Voyager private jet program, which deducts flight costs from a $250,000 membership fee. The Boston-based company, which does not own or operate aircraft, works with FAA Part 135 charter operators that meet ARG/US or Wyvern safety standards.
October 2, 2008 - 8:06am
Iridium has agreed to combine with an affiliate of New York investment bank Greenhill & Co. as part of a strategy to raise $500 million in seed capital for deployment of its next-generation satellite communications network.
September 30, 2008 - 5:27am
Iridium has agreed to combine with an affiliate of New York investment bank Greenhill & Co. as part of a strategy to raise $500 million in seed capital for deployment of it next-generation satellite communications network.
July 30, 2008 - 7:19am
It’s a success story borne of utter failure. Iridium, after the bankruptcy of the original company (which meant a write-off by parent Motorola of the $5 billion it cost to field a 66-satellite low-earth-orbit constellation), said it expects to post a small profit this year on the strength of its commercial services.
June 30, 2008 - 9:20am
AirCell is introducing two new airborne telecommunications products, the AST 3500, which combines cellular technology with the Iridium satcom system, and the ST 3100, which relies exclusively on Iridium. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in November.
June 2, 2008 - 9:42am
Duncan Aviation said it has completed installation of an EMS Satcom eNfusion HSD-400 satellite communications system in a Bombardier Challenger 601-3R. The satcom hardware allows passengers to use their personal Wi-Fi devices, BlackBerrys, iPhones and other data communication gear in flight in two of three worldwide satellite regions that are available now.
