Iridium NEXT is a 66-satellite low-earth orbit (LEO) constellation. Credit: Iridium Communications. The first ten Iridium NEXT satellites were launched in January 2017. Credit: Iridium Communications. Each satellite in the Iridium NEXT constellation is cross-linked to other satellites in the constellation.Iridium NEXT is a 66-satellite low-earth orbit (LEO) constellation. Credit: Iridium Communications. The first ten Iridium NEXT satellites were launched in January 2017. Credit: Iridium Communications. Each satellite in the Iridium NEXT constellation is cross-linked to other satellites in the constellation.
What is Iridium NEXT?
What are Iridium NEXT satellites?
The Iridium-NEXT constellation is the first commercial satellite system offering spaces on each constellation member for hosted payloads in a Public-Private Partnership arrangement – enabling a large infrastructure of Earth-monitoring payloads to be established at minimum cost.
Is Iridium NEXT operational?
Coverage of Earth by the Iridium satellites, which are arranged in 6 orbits of 11 satellites each. Animation shows approximately 10 minutes….Iridium satellite constellation.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Launched | 95 (original), 75 (NEXT) |
| Operational | 82 (76 in active service, 6 spares) |
| Maiden launch | Iridium 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 on 5 May 1997 |
| Last launch | 11 Jan 2019 |
Who built Iridium NEXT satellites?
Thales Alenia Space Cannes, February 6, 2019 – The Iridium NEXT constellation of satellites, developed and built by Thales Alenia Space, the joint company between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), leading an industrial consortium, is now fully operational.
How many Iridium NEXT satellites are there?
66
| Iridium NEXT constellation | 66 operational satellites in 6 planes of 11 spacecraft each |
|---|---|
| Orbit (LEO) | Polar at an altitude of 780 km |
| Inclination | 86.4º |
| Period | 101 minutes per orbit |
| Launch period | 2015 –2017 |
Are any Iridium satellites still in orbit?
Iridium now has 75 satellites in orbit — 66 operational plus nine spares — and six spares on the ground. Desch said Iridium projects a lifespan of 15 years or more for the Iridium Next satellites.
Are there any more Iridium flares?
Bottom line: The beloved glints of Iridium flares are nearly gone from Earth's night skies, as the original set of 66 Iridium communications satellites have been decommissioned and are being allowed to re-enter Earth's atmosphere. The final launch of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites is targeted for January 8, 2019.
Can I buy iridium?
Iridium isn't traded on a bourse or through exchange-traded funds, retail buyers are limited to ingots from a handful of dealers and the few major investors dealing in it go straight to producers.
Is iridium a rare earth metal?
Sources. Today, iridium is commercially recovered as a byproduct of copper or nickel mining. … Pure iridium is so rare on the Earth's crust that there is only about 2 parts per billion located in the crust, according to Chemistry Explained. "Iridium is one of the densest and rarest of Earth's natural elements.