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Iridium Names Three ‘Next’ Partners
By: AIN Staff
Caption: Iridium last month said it has reached agreements with three companies to develop the company’s next-generation satellite constellation, called Iridium Nex
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Iridium last month said it has reached agreements with three companies to develop the company’s next-generation satellite constellation, called Iridium Next. Lockheed Martin, Space Systems Loral and Thales Alenia Space will develop design concepts, review critical engineering and evaluate performance and capabilities. Iridium said it will select two additional partners for detailed system development. The first Iridium Next satellites are scheduled for launch starting in 2013. Iridium expects the Next constellation will be fully deployed by 2017.