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Proton Launches Fifth Iridium Batch
by Frank Sietzen "SpaceCast News Service"
Baikonur - September 14, 1997 - A Proton booster has launched the fifth batch of Iridium satellites towards orbit, the company reported late Saturday. Lift-off came from Baikonur Launch Complex 18 Left at 9:36pm EDT US time, and early reports indicate a nominal launch sequence thus far. Aboard the rocket were seven additional Iridium satellites, headed for the fifth orbital plane for the constellation. Some 22 Iridium craft are already in low Earth orbit. The launch marks the fifth time in as many months that a commercial space launcher has lifted Iridium satellites into space. All launches thus far have been successful. When the constellation is complete, 66 spacecraft will form a constellation of small, mobile communications satellites offering global mobile coverage. These "little LEO" constellations, of which Iridium is the first to market, offers the potential to revolutionize personal communications. Iridium will use Delta II, Proton, and Long March commercial boosters to orbit their spacecraft. Tonight's launch is the second use of the Proton in the Iridium program. Once additional flight aboard the Proton is planned.




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