Iridium negotiating $35M launch of up to 5 ground spares, bids to operate US SDA LEO constellation, sees Ukraine demand spike

by Peter B. de Selding

UPDATE April 23: This story was updated to add additional Iridium comment on its proposal, with partner General Dynamics Mission Systems, to be constellation operator for the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA).

JAGSTHAUSEN, Germany — Mobile satellite services provider Iridium Communications is negotiating a launch of up to five 700-kilogram Iridium Next satellites that have been in storage as ground spares.

Iridium Chief Executive Matt Desch said the launch, to occur this year, is not needed for any operational purpose, and that . . .

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