At 2:22 p.m. PDT, the Delta II lifted off the pad within a five-second window to place the satellites into coordinated orbits with satellites in six orbital planes. It was the ninth launch by a Boeing Delta II for Motorola, prime contractor and manufacturer of the satellite for the Iridium system.

During today's mission, the Delta II placed the first of the five Iridium satellites into transfer orbit one hour and two and a half minutes after lift- off. Twenty-two and a half minutes later all five spacecraft were in transfer orbit. Each satellite positions itself into final orbit with a self-contained propulsion system.

``Today's success of the Delta II launch means that we have put the entire Iridium constellation into orbit in just 12 months,'' said Dr. Edward F. Staiano, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Iridium LLC. ``We now have more than four months to finish integrating and testing the Iridium system before we go into commercial service as the world's first global wireless telephone company.''

``Motorola launched the concept of the Iridium system a decade ago, and today, we have accomplished what many said could not be done,'' said Durrell Hillis, senior vice president and general manager of Motorola Space and Systems Technology Group (SSTG). ``We have built one of the largest digital networks ever, and have already demonstrated the voice and paging capabilities which we designed for the Iridium system.''

``A year ago a Delta II placed the first five Iridium satellites into orbit, '' said Darryl Van Dorn, Boeing director of NASA and Commercial Programs. ``Now we've chalked up nine missions, delivering 45 satellites for the Iridium system.''

Over the last decade the Delta II has achieved a success rate of more than 97 percent and has established itself as one of the most reliable expendable launch vehicles in the world.

Subcontractors contributing to the Delta II launch vehicle include the Rocketdyne Division of Boeing, Canoga Park, Calif., for the main engine; Alliant Techsystems, Magna, Utah, graphite epoxy motors for boost assist; Aerojet, Sacramento, Calif., second-stage engine; and Allied Signal, Teterboro, N.J., Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly.