Space Travel News  
Iridium Passes First Milestone On Way To Deploying NEXT

RFI Released to Industry to Begin Procurement of Next-Generation Satellite Communications System
by Staff Writers
Bethesda MD (SPX) Jul 04, 2007
Iridium Satellite announces it has released a Request for Information (RFI) to potential partners interested in participating in the design, development and deployment of "Iridium NEXT," the company's next-generation satellite communications network. The Iridium RFI is the company's first official step toward the procurement of the NEXT system. Today's Iridium constellation provides the only mobile satellite communications service covering the entire earth, with no service gaps, supplying voice and data communications for a wide range of users worldwide.

With the RFI, Iridium is initiating its plan to design, develop, construct, deploy and operate its next-generation Iridium system, allowing the company to add new, enhanced services and to ensure that customers continue to enjoy the same level of high-reliability service provided today.

NEXT will maintain Iridium's unique "life line" attributes which so many of the company's customers count on - pole-to-pole coverage, security, availability and reliability. NEXT will also provide extended services beyond those offered today, from high-bandwidth data transmission to enhanced voice and short messaging services for commercial and government users. In addition, Iridium will engineer NEXT to support innovative space-based applications.

"We have formed a core internal team of industry experts, augmented by external consulting partners, to evaluate the key technical issues related to Iridium NEXT," said Joe Pizzicaroli, vice president and chief satellite operations officer, Iridium. "We are nearing completion of our initial technical analysis and are ready to engage the aerospace industry to help Iridium design, build, launch and operate the new constellation."

Iridium will use the RFI process to interact with leading industry suppliers of satellite communications products and services. Iridium plans to explore a variety of functions and technologies essential to the deployment of the NEXT network, including low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellite manufacturing and deployment capabilities, state-of-the-art communications systems, IP networking, core service platforms/applications, and other important developments such as inter-satellite links and space navigation systems.

"Releasing an RFI is an important step in the design and procurement of NEXT," said Don Thoma, executive vice president, Iridium. "We are looking for the most innovative and experienced companies in the industry to help us with our deployment."

Related Links
Iridium Satellite
Satellite Constellation - multiple satellite deployments in LEO and Beyond



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Avionica Begins Installing Iridium Satellite Communication Systems On Continental Airlines
Bethesda MD (SPX) Jun 18, 2007
Avionica has won orders from Continental Airlines to outfit nine B737-800 passenger aircraft with advanced Iridium satellite systems to provide global, low-cost voice and data communications. The Continental aircraft will be equipped with Avionica's new satLINK Iridium system, including antenna, wiring, structural elements and a control panel.







  • Aerojet Demonstrates Key Advances In Controllable Solid Propulsion Rocket Motors
  • Development Contracts Signed For Future European Launchers
  • DARPA And Australia Collaborate On Successful Hypersonic Flight Test
  • Air Force Continues Northrop Grumman Contract For Upper Stage Engine Program

  • Boeing Lockheed Rocketeers Turn To SAP For Bettter ERP
  • Arianespace Orders 35 Ariane 5 ECA Rockets
  • Spacehab Subsidiary Wins New NASA Launch Processing Contract At Vandenberg
  • Arianespace Winning Launch Contracts From Across The World

  • Ferry-Flight Will Return Atlantis To Kennedy
  • Shuttle Endeavour Set For Move To Vehicle Assembly Building
  • NASA Basks In Shuttle Success Amid Tumultuous Year
  • Space Shuttle Lands Back On Earth

  • International Space Station Provides Classroom for Students Around the World
  • Senate Committee Chairs React To NASA Report On ISS National Laboratory
  • Station And Shuttle Crews Close Hatches And Prep For Undocking Tuesday
  • STS-117 Shuttle Crew Conduct Fourth And Final Spacewalk About Space Station

  • Russia Launches Genesis 2 On Converted SS-18 ICBM Launcher
  • NASA Selects Reynolds To Design Emergency Egress System For Orion Astronauts
  • Sunita Williams Makes Giant Leaps For Womankind
  • Lack Of Willingness To Discuss NASA Budget Deeply Disappointing

  • China To Launch Third Sino-Brazilian Satellite In September
  • China Launches Satellite To Take TV Signal Nationwide
  • China Launches Communications Satellite SinoSat-3
  • China Aims To Launch Moon Probe This Year

  • Team SpelBots Take On Robotic Titans At RoboCup 2007
  • Japanese Humanoid Is Working In The Rain
  • Japanese Robot Receptionists For Hire
  • Japanese Researchers Help Robots Brush Up Communication Skills

  • NASA Mars Rover Ready For Descent Into Crater
  • Mars Rover Laser Tool Ready For Testing
  • Mars Experiment To Push Mental Endurance To The Limit
  • Spirit Gets A Solar Panel Spring Clean

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement