Iridium has announced the successful launch and deployment of five spare satellites, this launch brings the total number of spare Iridium satellites in orbit to 14. 

In total, 81 next-generation Iridium satellites were built, and 80 of them have now been deployed. The Iridium constellation features 66 operational crosslinked satellites, enabling truly global, connectivity everywhere on Earth.

The satellites lifted off at 06:16 am PDT on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) in California. Shortly after deployment, each of the satellites successfully contacted engineers at Iridium's Satellite Network Operations Center (SNOC), in Virginia.

Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium, said: “The completion of our upgraded constellation was a major milestone in the history of Iridium.  We committed to our partners and our customers that they could depend on us and expect the highest quality of service and reliability anywhere on the planet, and that's what we've delivered. With all the new products and services enabled by our network, the launch of these spares shows our commitment to maintaining the gold standard of satellite network services.”

Completed in February 2019, the upgraded Iridium constellation has proven to be an engine of innovation for the company and its partners. Recently, the company took a lead role in the burgeoning satellite direct-to-device movement, teaming up with Qualcomm Technologies Inc., to enable satellite SOS and two-way messaging in premium Android smartphones.

Iridium and its partners have certified more than 175 new, purpose-built products for aviation, maritime, land-mobile, IoT and related industries over the past 4 years.

The new satellites launched will help ensure Iridium's services continue, supporting many millions of end users.

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	Issue 84 of Robban Assafina (March/ April 2023)