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Iridium celebrates 25 years of innovation, transformation + global connectivity 

Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the firm’s truly global services that are provided by the Iridium® network, with events held in Arizona and Virginia — the festivities brought together Iridium employees, the original founders and early investors, partners, distinguished guests and the global community that has been pivotal to Iridium’s journey. The 25thanniversary represents a significant milestone for Iridium, showcasing its legacy of innovation and the integral role it has played in transforming satellite connectivity. 

Iridium was founded with the vision of revolutionizing and making personal communications globally accessible. Over the past 25 years, Iridium has expanded this vision, evolving into a company that has kept assets and people safe, connected, and informed, no matter where they are on Earth. 

Since its rocky beginnings, the network has not only survived but thrived. With initial commercial service launching on November 1, 1998, it took the bankruptcy of the original company, a new business plan and relaunch to reach 1 million subscribers in 2018.

However, less than five years later, the company surpassed 2 million subscribers and has a five-year subscriber compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 15.5%. As the company completed it’s $3 billion dollar, next-generation replacement constellation in 2019, its investors have been rewarded as capital was returned with a share buyback program totaling $1 billion authorized through 2025 and a quarterly dividend that started in 2023.

Staying true to its business model, Iridium goes to market through an ecosystem of approximately 500 partner companies around the world that create and sell Iridium and Iridium Connected® products and service. Iridium helped make global IoT accessible and cost-effective, enabling various industries to expand their reach and capabilities and has positively impacted industries such as maritime, aviation, public safety, scientific research, autonomous systems, transportation, and personal communications. 

Many of these sectors have evolved from sporadic use of satellite communication to making it an essential part of their daily operations. The company has proudly served the U.S. government since its beginning and continues to expand its services and support to provide robust and reliable global connectivity to service members and many other departments and agencies that is second to none. 

Iridium has inspired and served as an example for countless new entrants into the satellite industry, driving investments and innovations into other networks in LEO. Twenty-five years ago, the concept of satellite communications was often associated with large, costly dishes that couldn’t scale down to accommodate smaller, remote, and highly mobile assets. Even today, while other satellite networks are focusing on higher bandwidth and faster speeds that require larger terminals, Iridium has stayed in its lane, focusing on providing critical connectivity to the smallest devices and applications that can even fit in the hand or pocket. The Iridium network’s unique location in LEO provides highly reliable, weather-resilient L-band connectivity everywhere on the planet, making it essential when other satellite and cellular networks don’t work

“Since Iridium was founded, the world’s expectations for connectivity have grown enormously. The need for satellite communication continues to grow and is going to become part of our everyday experience, making our planet even smaller. As we look forward, Iridium remains committed to innovation, global connectivity, and supporting the ever-growing communication expectations of our world,. We are excited to celebrate and reflect on the past 25 years while looking toward the future and leading new innovations in satellite communications. While our technology is still groundbreaking, it’s been the people in and around Iridium that have made the company the success that it is today.” — Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium

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Northrop Grumman selected to deliver nearly 40 data transport satellites to SDA

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) an agreement with a total potential value of approximately $732 million to design and build 38 data transport satellites — these satellites will support Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Alpha (T2TL-Alpha), the latest iteration of SDA’s LEO Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).

  • This Alpha announcement follows an August 2023 award to Northrop Grumman of 36 satellites as part of Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Beta (T2TL-Beta); Alpha and Beta satellites are designed to interoperate on orbit.
  • This contract includes supporting ground elements and five years of operations and sustainment with the satellites scheduled to launch starting December 2026.
  • Northrop Grumman was also awarded a contract for Tranche 1 Transport Layer 1 (T1TL), which similarly provide low latency, high volume data transport supporting U.S. military missions around the world.
  • Northrop Grumman’s approach to the PWSA contracts is to combine our satellite technology and mission experience with strategic commercial partnerships to move at the pace the environment demands.

Northrop Grumman provides space vehicles and ground systems for the SDA’s PWSA, a next-generation constellation in LEO. PWSA has two major lines of effort:

  • The Transport Layer: Designed to provide low-latency, high volume data connectivity supporting U.S. military missions around the world.
  • The Tracking Layer: Designed to detect, track and ultimately target hypersonic and ballistic missiles.

Both layers are designed to interoperate in space using a common data standard allowing satellites made by various manufacturers to communicate seamlessly with one another. Taken together, these satellites are designed to connect elements of an integrated sensing architecture, and the network they create will deliver persistent, secure connectivity, serving as a critical element for Joint All Domain Command Control.

To date, SDA has announced awards to Northrop Grumman of 132 satellites.

“Northrop Grumman, in partnership with industry teammates, is fully committed to the Space Development Agency’s vision of fielding a next-generation, Low-Earth Orbit architecture connecting and protecting our warfighters wherever they serve. Our Northrop Grumman team is bringing our deep Military SATCOM experience to this mission, and we’re executing on our commitments.” — Blake Bullock, vice president, communication systems, Northrop Grumman.

Liftoff as SpaceX soars with 23 Starlink satellites

UPDATE #2: On Monday, October 30 at 7:20 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

This was the eighth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, and now three Starlink missions.

UPDATE #1: The launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle with 23 Starlink satellites (Starlink-118 / Starlink 6-25) to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, was aborted on 30 October 2023, at 00:16 UTC (29 October, at 20:16 EDT). Credit: SpaceX

A pressure anomaly caused the scrub with another attempt planned in 24 hours.

On Sunday, October 29th at 2:00 a.m., PT, a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 22 Starlink satellites to LEO from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

This was the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mission and now six Starlink missions.

First stage successful landing.

The company had also scheduled a double header, with 23 Starlinks set to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — however, a problem was detected by the launch team with the Falcon 9’s stage separation system and a la

SDA awards billion$ for 100 Alpha variant satellites for Tranche 2 Transport Layer

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded two Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreements with a total value of approximately $1.3 billion to build and operate the Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) — Alpha variant prototype constellation, consisting of 100 satellites. Each firm-fixed-price award includes an equal, on-time, incentive payment.

The T2TL- Alpha constellation will provide global communications access and deliver persistent, regional, and encrypted connectivity to support missions such as beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) targeting and missile warning and missile tracking of advance missile threats as part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

The first orbital plane of the T2TL-Alpha constellation will be launched no later than September of 2026.

“The T2TL Alpha awards demonstrate our forward momentum in the procurement phase for Tranche 2 of the PWSA to support delivery beginning in 2026,” said . “With the Beta variant and now the Alpha constellation, we’ll have more than 170 T2TL satellites on order. SDA is leading the DoD into launching proliferated constellations into low- Earth orbit to enhance responsiveness, resilience, survivability, and warfighting capability beyond our current space systems architecture.” — Derek Tournear, Director, SDA

SDA awarded a firm-fixed-price OTA agreement with a total potential value of approximately $617 million to York Space Systems, Denver, to execute a research and development program to deliver and operate 62 T2TL – Alpha space vehicles (SVs) in eight orbital planes, along with the associated ground systems and operations and sustainment capability. The award was fully signed on October 10, 2023.

SDA awarded a firm-fixed-price OTA agreement with a total potential value of approximately $732 million to Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Redondo Beach, California, to execute a research and development program to deliver and operate 38 T2TL – Alpha SVs in two orbital planes, along with the associated ground systems and operations and sustainment capability. The award was fully signed on October 26, 2023.

Space Development Agency, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity (FA24012490003). The T2TL features multiple space vehicle and mission configuration variants procured through a multi-solicitation and multi-vendor acquisition approach.

In August of 2023, SDA completed awards for 72 T2TL Beta variant SVs, which form the foundation of the Tranche 2 data transport mission. SDA is currently in the source selection phase for T2 Tracking Layer. SDA expects to release the T2TL Gama solicitation later this year. Once completely fielded, Tranche 2 will provide global persistence for all capabilities in Tranche 1 plus demonstration of advanced tactical data link(s) and future proliferated missions.

The T2 constellation will consist of approximately 270 operational Transport and Tracking Layer satellites. The PWSA Transport Layer will provide multi-band global communications access and persistent encrypted connectivity for warfighter missions. The Transport Layer will be the space backbone for the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) infrastructure with low latency data transport, sensor-to-shooter connectivity, and tactical satellite communication (TACSATCOM) direct to platform.

Update: SpaceX launch abort at T-30

UPDATE: The launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle with 23 Starlink satellites (Starlink-118 / Starlink 6-25) to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, was aborted on 30 October 2023, at 00:16 UTC (29 October, at 20:16 EDT). Credit: SpaceX

A pressure anomaly caused the scrub with another attempt planned in 24 hours.

On Sunday, October 29th at 2:00 a.m., PT, a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 22 Starlink satellites to LEO from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

This was the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mission and now six Starlink missions.

First stage successful landing.

The company had also scheduled a double header, with 23 Starlinks set to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — however, a problem was detected by the launch team with the Falcon 9’s stage separation system and a launch abort was called. SpaceX will try to launch these Starlinks to orbit on Monday, October 30th,

EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS enters service

Photo is courtesy of Toys Films.

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris / London Stock exchange: ETL) has successfully entered into service the company’s EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS (Very High Throughput Satellite) at the 2.7°E orbital position.

Artistic rendition of the EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS on-orbit, courtesy of the company.

EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS, a very high throughput satellite built by Thales Alenia Space, will provide fixed, mobile and government connectivity across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Delivering 230 beams and with a Ka-band capacity of 500 Gbps, EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS is the largest geostationary satellite to date in Europe. It embarks the most powerful on-board digital processor ever put in orbit, offering capacity allocation flexibility, optimal spectrum use, and progressive ground network deployment.

This state-of-the-art satellite, with capacity seven times that of the previous generation EUTELSAT KONNECT, enters service with several, major, committed customers, namely Orange — via its Nordnet affiliate for the French coverage, Telecom Italia Mobile over Italy, and Thales Alenia Space to serve government connectivity services. Totaling c.€450 million, these commitments underpin Eutelsat Group’s revenue growth objectives in the coming years.

“The entry into service of the state-of-the-art EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS is an important milestone for the Group, showcasing once again our leadership in innovation, and our commitment to bringing connectivity to the next level in Europe to help bridge the digital divide. With its ability to accommodate joint GEO-LEO services, specifically in zones where demand is highly concentrated, EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS represents a key asset in the Group’s offering going forward. Moreover, its substantial precommitments are a testament to the significant demand for satellite connectivity, even in developed markets.” — Eva Berneke, CEO, Eutelsat Group

SpaceX: 22 Starlinks travel to orbit — 23 Starlinks launch re-set for October 30th after an abort called at Canaveral SFS

On Sunday, October 29th at 2:00 a.m., PT, a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 22 Starlink satellites to LEO from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

This was the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mission and now six Starlink missions.

First stage successful landing.

The company had also scheduled a double header, with 23 Starlinks set to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — however, a problem was detected by the launch team with the Falcon 9’s stage separation system and a launch abort was called. SpaceX will try to launch these Starlinks to orbit on Monday, October 30th, at 7:20 p.m.

Intuitive Machines sets January of 2024 for U.S. Lunar Mission

Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW) has announced that, in coordination with SpaceX, liftoff of the IM-1 lunar mission is now targeted for a multi-day launch window that opens on January 12, 2024.

The Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission will be the Company’s first attempted lunar landing as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, a key part of NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration efforts. The science and technology payloads sent to the Moon’s surface as part of CLPS intend to lay the foundation for human missions and a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.

In case of unfavorable launch conditions, such as poor weather, backup opportunities will be determined based on the lunar blackout window and other factors.

“As previously announced, Intuitive Machines completed its lunar lander in September, and the entire company is looking forward to our upcoming launch. here are inherent challenges of lunar missions; schedule changes and mission adjustments are a natural consequence of pioneering lunar exploration. Receiving a launch window and the required approvals to fly is a remarkable achievement, and the schedule adjustment is a small price to pay for making history.” — Steve Altemus, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Intuitive Machines

FAA authorizes Rocket Lab to resume launches from New Zealand

Launch Complex 1 – Mahia, New Zealand – Private Orbital Launch Site

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”)provider of launch services and space systems, announced it has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resume Electron launches from Launch Complex 1.

Launched September 19, 2023, from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, the ‘We Will Never Desert You’ mission was Rocket Lab’s 41st Electron launch. The mission was launched to deploy a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth experienced an anomaly at stage two ignition, resulting in the loss of the mission.

The authorization comes after Rocket Lab experienced an in-flight anomaly on September 19th during the Company’s 41st Electron launch. The FAA, the federal licensing body for U.S. launch vehicles, has now confirmed that Rocket Lab’s launch license remains active, which is the first step to enable launches to resume.

Rocket Lab is now finalizing a meticulous review into the anomaly’s root cause, a process that involves working through an extensive fault tree to exhaust all potential causes for the anomaly, as well as completing a comprehensive test campaign to recreate the issue on the ground.

Rutherford Engine, the world’s first 3D-printed, electric-pump-fed rocket engine.

The FAA is providing oversight of Rocket Lab’s mishap investigation to ensure Rocket Lab complies with its FAA-approved mishap investigation plan and other regulatory requirements. In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was granted official observer status to the investigation.

The full review is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, with Rocket Lab currently anticipating a return to flight later this quarter with corrective measures in place.

Electron’s unique Kick Stage is designed to deliver small satellites to precise and unique orbits, whether flying as dedicated or rideshare.

During the September 19th mission, Electron completed a successful lift-off, first stage burn and stage separation as planned, before an issue was experienced at around two and a half minutes into flight shortly after second stage engine ignition.

Flight data shows Electron’s first stage performed as expected during the mission and did not contribute to the anomaly.

“After more than 40 launches, Electron is a proven, mature design with a well-established manufacturing process behind it, so we knew the fault was going to be something complex and extremely rare that hasn’t presented in testing or flight before,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck.

“Our investigation team with FAA oversight has worked around the clock since the moment of the anomaly to uncover all possible root causes, replicate them in test, and determine a path for corrective actions to avoid similar failure modes in future. We look forward to sharing the details of the review once it is fully complete ahead of returning to flight this quarter.”

Electron is the second most frequently launched U.S. launch vehicle annually, relied upon by government and commercial satellite operators globally.

Prior to the September 19th mission, Electron had completed 20 consecutive successful orbital launches and 37 successful missions total, deploying 171 satellites to orbit.

Terran Orbital to build 36 satellite buses for Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin has awarded Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) a contract to build 36 satellite buses for Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) Beta constellation. Terran Orbital will deliver the buses to Lockheed Martin, which will conduct payload integration and jointly operate the satellites with SDA.

SDA’s T2TL Beta constellation will advance the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture’s (PWSA) initial warfighting capability with targeted technology enhancements, mission-focused payload configurations, and increased integration. The PWSA provides a resilient, low-latency communication system to connect warfighter platforms worldwide and help the military target threats and detect and track missiles.

Terran Orbital is currently building 42 buses for Lockheed Martin to help the company fulfill its $700 million contract for the SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL), currently scheduled for a late 2024 launch.

Last spring, Terran Orbital completed a successful Critical Design Review (CDR) and Manufacturing Readiness Review (MRR) for the T1TL satellite buses, which are manufactured in the company’s smallsat production facilities in Irvine, California. The MRR confirmed Terran Orbital’s readiness to manufacture and deliver all 42 T1TL satellite buses.

Now, with the completion of Terran Orbital’s T1TL MRR and Lockheed Martin’s CDR, Terran Orbital will deliver the 42 satellite buses to Lockheed Martin for payload integration and testing in the company’s new 20,000-square-foot small satellite assembly facility near Denver. The same facilities will eventually be used for payload integration and testing of the 36 T2TL Beta satellite buses.

Last year, Terran Orbital delivered 10 satellite buses to Lockheed Martin in support of their Tranche 0 Transport Layer contract with SDA. The T2TL Beta satellites are scheduled to be deployed into low Earth orbit during a series of launches starting in 2026.

“We congratulate Lockheed Martin on another big contract win in support of SDA’s Transport Layer mission. We are proud that Lockheed Martin has selected Terran Orbital to deliver high-quality satellite buses for a vital mission to connect and protect U.S. military personnel worldwide.” — Marc Bell, Terran Orbital Chairman and Chief Executive Officer