Iridium Offers Full Satellite Buses in Novel Rideshare Opportunity

摘要

Mobile satellite services operator Iridium Communications is offering a service that provides the satellite platform developed for its Iridium Next constellation, plus on-orbit operations, to customers looking for an inexpensive-way to fly their own missions. McLean, Va.-based Iridium said its Iridium Prime offering uses the same skeletal structure built by Thales Alenia Space of France and Italy for Iridium Next but without the L-band communications payload needed for Iridium's own mobile communications mission. The platform could host payloads for Earth observation, science, space surveillance, telecommunications or other missions.