Iridium selects Thales for next-generation satellites
Posted: Thu, Jun 3, 2010, 7:49 AM ET (1149 GMT)
Iridium has selected Thales Alenia Space to build its next generation of low Earth orbit communications satellites, the companies announced Wednesday. Thales will build 81 satellites, 72 for launch plus nine ground spares for the Iridium NEXT system. Total cost of the system, which will replace the company's existing constellation of satellites, is estimated to be $2.9 billion. Work on the satellites will begin immediately, with the first satellites planned for launch in the first quarter of 2015. Iridium has not announced launch plans yet for the system, but is reportedly in negotiations with SpaceX. Thales and Lockheed had been competing for the satellite order, with Thales winning in part because Coface, the French export credit agency, agreed to guarantee nearly all of a $1.8-billion credit facility that will be used to finance the project.
Iridium has selected Thales Alenia Space to build its next generation of low Earth orbit communications satellites, the companies announced Wednesday. Thales will build 81 satellites, 72 for launch plus nine ground spares for the Iridium NEXT system. Total cost of the system, which will replace the company's existing constellation of satellites, is estimated to be $2.9 billion. Work on the satellites will begin immediately, with the first satellites planned for launch in the first quarter of 2015. Iridium has not announced launch plans yet for the system, but is reportedly in negotiations with SpaceX. Thales and Lockheed had been competing for the satellite order, with Thales winning in part because Coface, the French export credit agency, agreed to guarantee nearly all of a $1.8-billion credit facility that will be used to finance the project.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX performs two Falcon 9 launches less than an hour apart
Posted: Sun, Aug 16 10:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) Virgin Galactic delays resumption of commercial flights to 2027
Posted: Sun, Aug 16 10:54 AM ET (1454 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, August 19
First spacewalk completed for Sophie Adenot
ESA — 6:43 am ET (1043 GMT) Satellite images show damage after a Ukrainian missile strike on a space center supporting Russia's Starlink rival
Business Insider — 6:42 am ET (1042 GMT) Space Force Selects Rocket Lab For Space Data Network Consortium, Awarded $12M in Contracts to Support Global Military Communications Network
Rocket Lab — 6:36 am ET (1036 GMT) USSF to Operate Legacy Weather Sats Until at Least 2028 as It Works on Replacements
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 6:36 am ET (1036 GMT) AFA Urges Congress to Fully Fund Space Force, Ramp Up F-35 Procurement
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 6:36 am ET (1036 GMT) |
