Polaris Intelligence
Polaris
Intelligence
About
Ctrl K
Sign in
© Polaris Intelligence 2026
PrivacyTermsAdmin

Iridium

completedLaunch 1997-030
Launched 6/18/1997LEOService GSat LEO OO 1
Admin Edit
Payloads
Assets deployed on this mission, enriched from spacecraft records.
7 payloads
Iridium 10
retired
Communications
LEO
Iridium
Iridium 11
retired
CommunicationsLEOIridium
Iridium 12
retired
CommunicationsLEOIridium
Iridium 13
retired
CommunicationsLEOIridium
Iridium 14
retired
CommunicationsLEOIridium
Iridium 16
retired
CommunicationsLEOIridium
Iridium 9
retired
CommunicationsLEOIridium
Launch Details
Launch Date
6/18/1997
Launch ID
1997-030
Launch Profile
Sat LEO OO 1
Service Type
G
Customer Type
C
Orbit
LEO
Launch Stack
Operator
Khrunichev State Research and Production Center
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K
Launch Site
PU23, Ploshchadka 81L, GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan
Payload Summary
Payload Count
7
Constellations
1
Payload Status
retired 7
Payload Mission Types
Communications 7
Track
Mentions
748
All verified mentions of this mission in source documents.

Samsung plans to use Iridium’s constellation to bring satellite connectivity to its Galaxy S23 smartphones 2023.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jan 3, 2023Iridium enters service agreement for direct-to-smartphone satellite service

On 2023-01-05, Iridium named U.S.-based chipmaker Qualcomm as its direct-to-smartphone partner.

RelationshipsValue 4.5Jan 3, 2023Iridium enters service agreement for direct-to-smartphone satellite service

Iridium is due to be paid royalties, development fees, and network usage fees under the deal and disclosed this in a 2022-12-30 regulatory filing that provided no financial details or timings.

RelationshipsLegalFinancialValue 3.0Jan 3, 2023Iridium enters service agreement for direct-to-smartphone satellite service

In July Iridium signed a development contract with a company to enable Iridium satellite technology in smartphones.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.0Jan 3, 2023Iridium enters service agreement for direct-to-smartphone satellite service

Iridium operates a 66-satellite constellation that cost $3,000,000,000 and is more advanced than Globalstar’s 24-satellite network.

CapabilityFinancialValue 4.0Jan 3, 2023Iridium enters service agreement for direct-to-smartphone satellite service

The IoT gateway leverages the full potential of Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) and the industry standard MQTT messaging protocol.

CapabilityValue 3.0Dec 30, 2022Ground Control develops satellite IoT Gateway for larger data payloads in remote locations

Iridium operates a constellation of crosslinked satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) that provides truly global coverage.

GeneralValue 2.0Dec 23, 2022Iridium Introduces its Next Generation Satellite IoT Data Service

Support for Iridium Certus 200, 350, and 700 with IMT was planned for the first quarter of 2023.

PlanValue 3.0Dec 23, 2022Iridium Introduces its Next Generation Satellite IoT Data Service

STREAM+ is powered by Iridium Certus 100 and allows users to send and receive files and messages securely.

CapabilityValue 4.0Dec 23, 2022Iridium Introduces its Next Generation Satellite IoT Data Service

SpaceX, Iridium (Globalstar’s rival), and other established and early‑stage satellite operators are developing direct‑to‑smartphone services ranging from basic SOS to 0.005 kg broadband.

GeneralCapabilityValue 2.4Nov 16, 2022Apple bringing SOS via satellite services to Europe in December

Iridium Certus midband and 4G/LTE cellular connectivity improve air medical operations according to SKYTRAC's Regional Business Manager.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.0Nov 14, 2022SKYTRAC and corpuls’ real-time medical data transfer through satcom and cellular connectivity test is success

Beam Communications Holdings Ltd. and its SatPhone Shop business have been receiving increased business from Australian enterprise and government customers for Iridium satellite network services and Beam terminals.

RelationshipsGrowthGeneralValue 3.5Nov 7, 2022Beam receives million$ contract from MTData

Iridium’s operational EBITDA increased 8% to nearly $108,000,000 for the three months to the end of September, a record for the operator.

FinancialValue 4.0Oct 21, 2022Iridium sheds more light on direct-to-smartphone plan

Iridium now expects full-year EBITDA to be $420,000,000 and to achieve 8–9% growth in revenue for the year.

FinancialGrowthValue 4.0Oct 21, 2022Iridium sheds more light on direct-to-smartphone plan

Iridium’s commercial voice and data revenue increased 10% to around $50,000,000 for the three months to the end of September compared with the corresponding period last year.

FinancialGrowthValue 4.7Oct 21, 2022Iridium sheds more light on direct-to-smartphone plan

The Iridium DTCS mission module provides secure voice and data communication to warfighters without requiring them to carry a separate Iridium satellite radio.

CapabilityValue 4.0Oct 19, 2022L3Harris Unveils New Iridium Distributed Tactical Communications Systems for Warfighters in the field

Warfighters equipped with the AN/PRC-163 and the Iridium DTCS mission module can communicate using any combination of satellite communications, mobile ad-hoc network, or line-of-sight modes.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Oct 19, 2022L3Harris Unveils New Iridium Distributed Tactical Communications Systems for Warfighters in the field

Iridium Certus® service providers will provide Iridium’s satellite broadband and mid-band connectivity for mobile voice and data services to the U.S. government through a dedicated gateway.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.0Oct 12, 2022New Iridium Certus Service Providers to support U.S. Government customers

The Iridium Certus broadband service provides highly reliable, global, weather-resilient connectivity for on-the-move internet and high-quality voice access.

CapabilityValue 2.5Oct 12, 2022New Iridium Certus Service Providers to support U.S. Government customers

Satcom Direct is also an Iridium Certus® service provider for U.S. government customers.

RelationshipsValue 3.5Oct 12, 2022New Iridium Certus Service Providers to support U.S. Government customers
Page24of38