Iridium Communications Inc. is a publicly traded American company that operates the Iridium satellite constellation, a system of 80 satellites in low Earth orbit. Iridium provides global voice and data communication services via handheld satellite phones, messaging devices, and integrated transceivers. The company partners with various organizations, including General Dynamics Mission Systems and SpaceX, and serves diverse sectors such as aviation, maritime, and government, offering services like the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The transaction will make Aireon LLC a wholly owned subsidiary of Iridium Communications.
Amazon, Eutelsat, Iridium Communications, and SpaceX signed Version 3.0 of "Orbital Safety Best Practices for Satellite Operators."
Iridium Communications intends to leverage its fully integrated platform to advance space-based VHF communications.
Iridium will pay $366.7 million to buy the remaining 61% stake in Aireon from five air navigation service providers.
Iridium already owns 39% of Aireon.
Iridium Communications plans to acquire Aireon, which operates the world’s largest satellite-based aircraft surveillance network.
The transaction will fold Aireon LLC into Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium will assume Aireon’s outstanding debt, which is expected to be approximately $155 million at closing.
Iridium Communications Inc. will acquire the remaining 61% of Aireon LLC for approximately $366.7 million and take full ownership of the space-based air traffic surveillance system.
Evercore served as financial adviser to Iridium, and Cooley and Milbank served as its legal counsel.
Iridium will pay the $366.7 million purchase price 50% in cash at closing and 50% one year later through an interest-free seller loan secured by a first-priority lien on Aireon’s equity.
Iridium Communications is developing a PNT service to provide a higher-power backup for GPS.
Iridium Communications plans to put its PNT ASIC on the market in July.
Iridium Communications is weighing new satellites to improve positioning accuracy for GNSS backup.
Kara Azocar is vice president of regulatory and public policy at Iridium Communications.
Iridium Communications has been a strategic partner of the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. government since the late 1990s.
Iridium signed Syniverse and Deutsche Telekom for Iridium NTN Direct.
Iridium Communications unveiled the Iridium 9604, a 3-in-1 IoT module, on Feb. 24, 2026.
Iridium Communications’s SITH contract contributes to a stable cash flow profile that supports the company’s 5% average annual dividend growth.
Iridium Communications reported full-year 2025 revenue of $871.7 million and Operational EBITDA of $495.3 million on Feb. 12, 2026.