Satellite communications company Iridium Communications Inc. said it has scheduled the first launch of its next-generation global satellite constellation, Iridium Next, on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on Dec. 16.
The launch, which is contingent upon approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, comes about three months after one of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets exploded on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The FAA has been overseeing an investigation into the Sept. 1 explosion.
In early November, SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk said the Hawthorne, California-based company had discovered the complicated reason behind the launch pad explosion and planned to restart launches in mid-December. Musk said the reasons behind the explosion was the “toughest puzzle” in the history of rocketry.
McLean, Va.-based Iridium(Nasdaq: IRDM) said it expects to be SpaceX's first return to flight launch customer.
"We have remained confident in SpaceX's ability as a launch partner throughout the Falcon 9 investigation," Iridium CEO Matt Desch said in a statement. "We are grateful for their transparency and hard work to plan for their return to flight. We are looking forward to the inaugural launch of Iridium Next, and what will begin a new chapter in our history."
The Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch at 12:36 p.m. PST from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and will deliver 10 Iridium Next satellites into low-earth orbit.
"We are looking forward to return to flight with the first Iridium Next launch," said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell. "Iridium has been a great partner for nearly a decade, and we appreciate their working with us to put their first 10 Iridium Next satellites into orbit."
Iridium has partnered with Thales Alenia Space for the manufacturing, assembly and testing of 81 Iridium Next satellites, at least 70 of which will be launched by SpaceX.
Iridium's primary launch campaign consists of seven SpaceX Falcon 9 launches, deploying 10 Iridium Next satellites at a time. These 70 Iridium Next satellites are scheduled to be deployed by early 2018.
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