Rockot Launches Two Iridium Spares

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Rockot Launches Two Iridium Spares

More Information:

A Rockot successfully launched two Iridium satellites from Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 0933 UTC on June 20. The satellites were numbered 97 and 98. Both spacecraft were deployed into a circular orbit of 650 km (351 nmi) altitude, with an inclination of 86.6 degrees. This launch brings the total number of on-orbit spares to 14 satellites.

Iridium originally introduced commercial service in November 1998, but failed to attract sufficient subscribers due to the US$3,000 phone and US$7 per minute airtime fees. Iridium LLC sought bankruptcy protection in August 1999. In December 2000 Dan Colussy, an aviation industry veteran, purchased the assets of Iridium LLC, including the satellite constellation and the terrestrial network for about US$25 million. Iridium Satellite LLC resumed service in March 2001, with cheaper prices. Among other customers, the U.S. Department of Defense has signed a multi-year contract for unlimited airtime for up to 20,000 government users.

The next Rocket multiple payload launch will be in 1Q 2003 with the deployment of two micro-satellites into different orbits. The Canadian Space Agency’s MOST satellite will be launched into an SSO, while the Czech Astronomical Institute’s MIMOSA satellite will be transported into an elliptical orbit. Eurockot Launch Services GmbH is a joint venture of Astrium GmbH holding 51 percent and Khrunichev Space Center holding 49 percent and provides launch services to the LEO satellite industry. Eurockot has an order backlog of six launches.

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June 20, 2002