Editing Iridium Communications (section)

== History ==
The Iridium communications service was launched on November 1, 1998, formerly known as Iridium SSC. The first Iridium call was made from [[Vice President of the United States]] [[Al Gore]] to [[Gilbert Melville Grosvenor|Gilbert Grosvenor]], the great-grandson of [[Alexander Graham Bell]] and chairman of the [[National Geographic Society]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/34365/phones/iridium_satellite_phones___the_amazing_worldwide_service.html |title=Iridium Satellite Phones – The Amazing Worldwide Service |website=Streetdirectory.com |access-date=2016-02-24}}</ref> [[Motorola]] provided the technology and major financial backing.<ref>{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Stephen |title=John F. Mitchell 1928–2009: Motorola Executive Helped Spur Cellphone Revolution, Oversaw Ill-fated Iridium Project |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124546835819133721 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=June 20–21, 2009 |page=A10}}</ref> The logo of the company represents the [[Big Dipper]].<ref>{{cite book |title = Brandsimple: how the best brands keep it simple and succeed |page = [https://archive.org/details/brandsimple00alle/page/101 101] |author = Allen P. Adamson |author2 = Martin Sorrell |publisher = Palgrave Macmillan |year = 2007 |isbn = 978-1-4039-8490-6 |url = https://archive.org/details/brandsimple00alle/page/101 }}</ref> The company derives its name from the [[chemical element]] [[iridium]], which has an [[atomic number]] of 77, equaling the initial number of satellites which were calculated to be required for global coverage.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Space exploration and humanity : a historical encyclopedia|date=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|editor=Johnson, Stephen B. |others=Chamberlin, Timothy M., Leverington, David, 1941–, American Astronautical Society. History Committee |isbn=978-1-85109-514-8|location=Santa Barbara, Calif.|oclc=280438759}}</ref> However, due to optimizations of orbit trajectories, technology updates and real-world conditions, only 66 are required for global coverage. A total of 95 satellites were launched in this constellation, with 66 active and the remaining 29 satellites operating as spares.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gebhardt |first=Chris |date=July 7, 2017 |title=Iridium marks new satellite network, 20 healthy satellites & 55 more to launch. |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/07/iridium-satellite-network-55-more/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209093511/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/07/iridium-satellite-network-55-more/ |archive-date=9 February 2023 |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Nasa Space Flight |language=en}}</ref>

On August 13, 1999, nine months after the launch of the organization, the founding company went into [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]].<ref name="jitm">{{cite journal| url=http://jitm.ubalt.edu/XVI-2/article5.pdf| title=Good technology, bad management: A case study of the satellite phone industry
|author1=Jaejoo Lim |author2=Richard Klein |author3=Jason Thatcher | year=2005| volume=16| issue=2| issn=1042-1319| journal=Journal of Information Technology Management |pages=48–55 | publisher=Association of Management}}</ref> The handsets could not operate as promoted until the entire constellation of satellites was in place, requiring a massive initial [[capital cost]] of billions of dollars.<ref name="David Vernon">{{cite web |url=http://www.davidvernon.net/David_Vernon/The_Canberra_Journal/Entries/2007/2/20_A_Heavenly_Sign_-_The_Iridium_satellite_story.html |title=A Heavenly Sign – The Iridium satellite story |author=David Vernon |date=February 20, 2007 |access-date=2007-08-20}}</ref> The cost of service dissuaded many potential users. Reception indoors was difficult and the handheld devices, when compared to terrestrial cellular [[mobile phone]]s were bulkier and more expensive, both of which discouraged adoption among potential users.<ref name="jitm" />

Mismanagement is another major factor that was cited in the original program's failure. In 1999, [[CNN]] writer [[David Rohde]] detailed how he applied for Iridium service and was sent information kits, but was never contacted by a sales representative. He encountered programming problems on Iridium's website, and a "run-around" from the company's representatives.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9902/24/iridium.idg/ |title=So how do you order satellite service? |date=February 24, 1999 |author=David Rohde |publisher=CNN |access-date=2007-08-20}}</ref> After Iridium filed bankruptcy, it cited "difficulty gaining subscribers."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cnnmoneycontrol.com/1999/08/13/companies/iridium/ |title=Iridium files Chapter 11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425012310/http://cnnmoneycontrol.com/1999/08/13/companies/iridium/ |archive-date=2010-04-25 }}</ref>

The initial commercial failure of Iridium had a damping effect on other proposed commercial satellite constellation projects, including [[Teledesic]]. Other schemes ([[Orbcomm]], [[ICO Global Communications]], and [[Globalstar]]) followed Iridium into bankruptcy protection, while a number of other proposed schemes were never even constructed.<ref name="jitm" />

In August 2000, [[Motorola]] announced that the Iridium satellites would have to be deorbited.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.oceannavigator.com/January-February-2003/Iridium-reborn-Globalstar-expands/|title=Iridium reborn. Globalstar expands – Ocean Navigator – January/February 2003|website=www.oceannavigator.com|date=January 2003|access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref> Despite this, they remained in orbit and operational.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/681646.stm |title=Flaming end for satellites |date=March 18, 2000 |publisher=BBC |access-date=2007-08-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://partners.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/04/biztech/articles/11iridium.html?scp=1&sq=satellite%20phone&st=cse |title=Satellite Phone Company Falls to the Earth |website=Partners.nytimes.com |date=2000-04-11 |access-date=2016-02-24}}</ref> In December 2000, the US government stepped in to save Iridium by providing US$72 million in exchange for a two-year contract. They also approved the [[fire sale]] of the company from [[U.S. bankruptcy court|US bankruptcy court]] for $25 million<ref name=":0" /> in March 2001. This erased over $4 billion in debt.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/478/452/473103/|title=In Re Iridium Operating Llc, Iridium Capital Corp., Iridium Ip Llc, Iridium Llc, Iridium Roaming Llc, Iridium (potomac) Llc, and Iridium Promotions, Inc., Debtors.[478 F.3d 453]motorola, Inc., Appellant, v. Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.a., Appellees, 478 F.3d 452 (2d Cir. 2007)|work=Justia Law|access-date=2018-03-31|language=en}}</ref>

Iridium service was restarted in 2001, by the newly founded Iridium Satellite LLC, which was owned by a group of private investors.<ref name="David Vernon" />

On February 10, 2009, the [[Iridium 33]] satellite [[2009 satellite collision|collided]] with a defunct Russian satellite, named [[Kosmos 2251]], {{convert|800|km}} over [[Siberia]].<ref name="cbsnewscollision">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-and-russian-satellites-collide/|title=U.S. And Russian Satellites Collide|access-date=2009-02-11|last=Harwood|first=Bill|date=2009-02-11|work=CBS News}}</ref> Two large debris clouds were created.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/2-orbiting-satellites-collide-500-miles-up-20090212-857v.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711150458/http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/2-orbiting-satellites-collide-500-miles-up-20090212-857v.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |title=2 orbiting satellites collide 500 miles up |publisher=AP DIGITAL |date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=2009-02-12 |location=Melbourne |first1=Seth |last1=Borenstein |first2=Douglas |last2=Birch }}</ref>

=== Iridium NEXT launch campaign ===

Iridium replaced its original constellation by sending 75 new Iridium satellites into space on [[SpaceX Falcon 9]] rockets in a series of 8 launches. The campaign also consisted of upgrades to Iridium ground infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathison |first=Mike |date=2016-09-14 |title=Iridium's Ground Infrastructure |url=https://apollosat.com/iridium-networks-ground-infrastructure/ |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Apollo Satellite |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110064553/https://apollosat.com/iridium-networks-ground-infrastructure/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Iridium NEXT]] launch campaign was announced in 2007. Within three years, Iridium completed financing and began work on launching new satellites.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iridium Completes Historic Satellite Launch Campaign |url=https://investor.iridium.com/2019-01-11-Iridium-Completes-Historic-Satellite-Launch-Campaign |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Iridium Satellite Communications |language=en-US}}</ref> In June 2010, Iridium announced a fixed-price contract with [[Thales Alenia Space]] for the design and construction of the next-generation satellites for the upgraded constellation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investor.iridium.com/2010-06-02-Iridium-Announces-Comprehensive-Plan-For-Next-Generation-Constellation |title=Iridium Satellite Communications – Press Releases |publisher=Investor.iridium.com |access-date=2019-07-04}}</ref> Two weeks later, Iridium announced a $492 million contract designating the [[Falcon 9]] as a major provider of launch services for the Iridium NEXT campaign, becoming the largest single commercial launch deal ever signed (simultaneously representing a benchmark in cost-effective satellite delivery to space).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investor.iridium.com/june-16-2010-iridium-and-spacex-sign-major-commercial-launch-contract |title=Iridium Satellite Communications – Press Releases |publisher=Investor.iridium.com |date=2010-06-16 |access-date=2019-07-04}}</ref>

On January 14, 2017, 10 years after the campaign was first announced, the first of eight Iridium NEXT launches took place with [[SpaceX]] from [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]] in California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investor.iridium.com/january-14-2017-iridium-announces-successful-first-launch-of-iridium-next-satellites |title=Iridium Satellite Communications – Press Releases |publisher=Investor.iridium.com |access-date=2019-07-04}}</ref> Over the next two years, Iridium sent an additional 65 satellites into low Earth orbit to completely replace the original satellite constellation. The final [[Iridium NEXT]] launch took place on January 11, 2019, less than two years after the first launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investor.iridium.com/2019-01-11-Iridium-Completes-Historic-Satellite-Launch-Campaign |title=Iridium Completes Historic Satellite Launch Campaign – Jan 11, 2019 |publisher=Investor.iridium.com |access-date=2019-07-04}}</ref>

The [[Iridium NEXT]] network covers the entire [[Earth]], including poles, oceans and airways, with 66 satellites, with the remaining nine acting as active backups, for a total of 75 launched.<ref name=":1" /> Six remain on the ground as spares for a total of 81 built.<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=Iridium Coverage|url=https://www.satmodo.com/coverage/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116114848/http://satmodo.com/coverage/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2012|access-date=2021-05-12|website=Satmodo|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Dwyer |first=Rob |date=2022-09-08 |title=Iridium to launch ground spare satellites to supplement network |url=https://smartmaritimenetwork.com/2022/09/08/iridium-to-launch-ground-spare-satellites-to-supplement-satellite-network/ |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Smart Maritime Network |language=en-GB}}</ref>