 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
Boeing Delta 2 Delivers Latest Additions to Iridium Constellation
Vandenberg AFB - Feb 11, 2002 A Boeing Delta 2 rocket launched the latest additions to the Iridium satellite constellation Monday from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. at 9:44 a.m. PST. The Delta 2 launch vehicle deployed five satellites into low-Earth orbit to serve as spares for Iridium Satellite's worldwide communications network. Monday's launch of IS-1 marks the first Delta mission of 2002 and the 101st Boeing Delta 2 mission since 1989. The first satellite was placed into orbit 62 minutes into the mission, followed by the other four within 23 minutes. "We've teamed with Iridium since the early 1990s and the Delta 2 team is proud to add to the constellation again," said Jay Witzling, vice president and deputy program manager of Delta and Titan programs. "I've been in this business for many years, and have seen many launches, but it's still a thrill to see the rocket fly and to place a customer's spacecraft successfully into its proper orbit." To date, Boeing Delta 2 launch vehicles have successfully placed 60 of Iridium's satellites into orbit, starting with the initial launch in May 1997. The Boeing Delta team also has extensive experience with dual and multiple payload missions for government and commercial customers. Recent dual payload Delta 2 missions include Jason-1/TIMED and E0-1/SAC-C. Iridium Satellite LLC provides global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the Earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Through a constellation of 66 low-Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites operated by Boeing, Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. "In the past two years, the constellation has not required the use of any in-orbit spare," said Dannie Stamp, chief operating officer of Iridium Satellite LLC. "Through a robust architecture and a highly skilled team of operators and engineers, the reliability of the Iridium satellite constellation is far exceeding original design predictions." The service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil & gas and heavy construction. Iridium currently provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense under a multi-year contract. Iridium works with more than 20 service partners to sell and support the service globally. In December 2000, Iridium Satellite LLC acquired the assets of Iridium LLC including the satellite constellation, terrestrial network, Iridium real property and intellectual capital. The next Delta 2 launch is a U.S. Air Force Global Positioning Satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla and slated for March 6. Related Links Iridium Iridium Delta 2 Launch Page at Boeing Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Delta 2 To Launch Five New Iridium Birds
Vandenberg - Feb 9, 2002The second attmept to launch the first Delta 2 for 2002 was scrubbed again Saturday due to problems with an aircraft providing tracking support downrange. Onboard the Delta 2 are five spare birds for the Iridium constellation. If a Sunday launch does go ahead a five second window opens at 9:49:19am PST (1749) GMT. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights 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 SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
