Iridium Communications Inc. has successfully launched its first ten Iridium NEXT satellites. Delivered into low-Earth orbit approximately one hour after being launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the satellites are part of the company's next-generation satellite constellation sent to replace and enhance its existing network of low-Earth orbit satellites spanning the entire globe.

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Iridium plans to launch more NEXT satellites. When the project is complete, Iridium NEXT will be able to support a new broadband multi-service capability called Iridium CertusSM to provide the technical flexibility to support new and innovative services and technologies from Iridium's extensive partner network. Iridium, in partnership with Aireon, has also created a unique hosted payload which will provide real-time aircraft surveillance service across the globe.

The first ten Iridium NEXT satellites, delivered to a 625 kilometers temporary parking orbit, will be tested by the company in the coming weeks. Afterwards the satellites will then be moved into their 780 kilometers operational orbit to begin providing service to Iridium's customers. The new satellites will be positioned, one by one, near a current generation satellite. Iridium's inter-satellite communication links from nearby satellites will be the start pointing of the new Iridium NEXT satellite. Existing satellites will be eventually de-boosted and de-orbited.

Matt Desch, chief executive officer of Iridium, thanked the team and partners for the hard work. "We have been working endless hours for the last eight years to get to this day, and to finally be here with 10 Iridium NEXT satellites successfully launched into low-Earth orbit is a fulfilling moment," he stated.

Iridium worked with Thales Alenia Space, System Prime Contractor for the program, and Orbital ATK, a subcontractor for production in the development of the Iridium NEXT program.

Additionally, Iridium has partnered with SpaceX as well for the launch of 70 Iridium NEXT satellites on its Falcon 9 rocket. Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX, said that the company is very proud to be the launch provider for the entire Iridium NEXT program.

Iridium and SpaceX will deploy satellites in seven launches, deploying 10 Iridium NEXT satellites at a time. The second Iridium NEXT launch will be scheduled after the current testing is completed in April. The entire Iridium NEXT network is scheduled to be completed by mid-2018.