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Globally connect people and machines with satellite-based communications. Iridium provides mobile satellite services that cover the entire globe from pole to pole, including regions without terrestrial networks. Its network uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit, cross-linked satellites to deliver voice and data to users, backed by ground infrastructure and a wide partner network. The system works by letting user devices communicate with nearby satellites, which relay signals through the network to anyone on Earth, even in remote areas. Iridium differentiates itself by offering true global pole-to-pole coverage and a secure, reliable service that serves commercial industries as well as government and defense customers, including U.S. and international agencies. The company aims to grow its profitable customer base and partner ecosystem by expanding demand for global, secure communications across maritime, aviation, utilities, transportation, and other sectors.
Industries
Consulting
Enterprise Software
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
McLean, Virginia
Founded
1991
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Total Funding
$400M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
3 Rounds
Paid Vacation
Hybrid Work Options
Paid Sick Leave
Professional Development Budget
Performance Bonus
IRIDIUM 114: satellite of the day, 11 aug 2026. IRIDIUM 114, launched January 2017 on the first Iridium NEXT Falcon 9 mission from Vandenberg, orbits at 774 x 793 km providing L-band comms and ADS-B tracking. IRIDIUM 114 is a communications and traffic monitoring satellite operated by Iridium LLC, part of the Iridium NEXT constellation that replaced the original Iridium fleet starting in 2017. It launched on January 14, 2017, from Vandenberg Space Force Base (SLC-4E) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. This was the first Iridium NEXT launch, carrying ten satellites that began the multi-year replacement of one of the most ambitious satellite constellations ever built. Now over nine years into a ten-year design life (with a planned fifteen-year operational target), IRIDIUM 114 remains active in its near-polar orbit. The satellite provides L-band voice and data services, carries Ka-band cross-links for inter-satellite routing, and hosts secondary payloads for ADS-B aircraft tracking and AIS ship monitoring. Mission and history. The Iridium NEXT program replaced all 66 active satellites (plus spares) in the original Iridium constellation, which had been operating since the late 1990s. Iridium LLC contracted Thales Alenia Space (through Orbital ATK, now part of Northrop Grumman, as the bus manufacturer) to build 81 NEXT satellites on the ELiTeBus-1000 platform. The January 2017 inaugural launch was also a milestone for SpaceX, marking the company's return to flight after the September 2016 AMOS-6 pad explosion. IRIDIUM 114 (designated SV114) carries the standard NEXT payload suite: an L-band communications array for mobile voice and data, Ka-band inter-satellite cross-links that let the constellation route traffic without ground relays, and Ka-band gateway downlinks. The satellite also hosts an Aireon ADS-B receiver for real-time global aircraft surveillance, a capability the original constellation lacked. Some NEXT satellites additionally carry exactEarth AIS receivers for maritime vessel tracking. The satellite measures 3.1 meters long with a 1.5-meter diameter and a 9.4-meter span when its two solar arrays are deployed. Dry mass is 700 kg, with a launch mass of 860 kg. The radar cross-section of 2.44 m^2 reflects the half-hexagonal prism body and extended panel geometry typical of the NEXT design. Orbit analysis. IRIDIUM 114 operates in a near-circular low Earth orbit at roughly 774 x 793 km with an inclination of 86.39 degrees, consistent with the Iridium constellation's near-polar orbital planes. Over the past 89 days, the semi-major axis has been exceptionally stable, varying by only about 13 meters between its minimum and maximum values. The near-zero delta of -0.00008 km across the observation window indicates active station-keeping or, at minimum, negligible drag at this altitude. Inclination has drifted down by 0.0026 degrees over the same period, a small secular trend driven by gravitational perturbations (primarily the J2 oblateness effect and luni-solar forces). Eccentricity holds near 0.00133, confirming the orbit remains very close to circular. None of these trends suggest any anomaly or decommissioning activity. Photometry. IRIDIUM 114 has a mean clear-filter magnitude of 5.93 (σ = 0.5, median 6.0) with a recorded range from 1.77 to 7.55. The satellite is classified as non-variable with no detected periodicity, meaning its brightness stays relatively steady across observation passes. The occasional bright excursions down to magnitude 1.77 likely correspond to specular reflections off the solar panels at favorable sun-observer geometry, though these are far less dramatic than the infamous "Iridium flares" produced by the original constellation's door-sized main mission antennas. Photometric data from the MMT-9 (Mini-MegaTORTORA) survey. Quick facts. | Detail | Value | | NORAD ID | 41923 | | COSPAR ID | 2017-003G | | Operator | Iridium LLC | | Country | United States | | Launch Date | January 14, 2017 | | Launch Site | Vandenberg SFB, SLC-4E | | Launch Vehicle | Falcon 9 | | Mass | 860 kg (launch), 700 kg (dry) | | Orbit | 774 x 793 km, 86.39° inclination | | Purpose | Communication, traffic monitoring (ADS-B/AIS) | | Status | Active | Theodore Kruczek. Theodore 'TK' Kruczek is a radar analyst and former Air Force Major specializing in Space Operations. He is passionate about open-source projects, coding, craft beer, and writing. TK is the creator of KeepTrack.Space and has developed tools like the Orbital Object Toolkit and SignalRange.
Rocket Lab is set to become profitable and free-cash-flow-positive in 2027 following its acquisition of satellite company Iridium, according to a new analysis. The prediction comes as Rocket Lab currently reports $183 million in GAAP losses and burns through $316 million in negative free cash flow over the past 12 months. Iridium brings $93 million in GAAP profit and $288 million in positive free cash flow to the deal. The merger is expected to close in mid-2027. Analysts forecast the combined company will earn $137 million in 2027, with positive free cash flow of $425 million. Rocket Lab's losses are projected to shrink to $24 million by then, whilst Iridium's earnings are expected to reach $161 million.
Iridium Communications reported second-quarter 2026 results that missed earnings expectations but exceeded revenue forecasts. The satellite communications company posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.09, below the $0.28 consensus estimate, as transaction costs related to its pending Rocket Lab acquisition weighed on profitability. Revenue increased 4% year-over-year to $225.2 million, surpassing the $220.6 million forecast. Net income declined to $9.7 million from $22.0 million in the prior-year quarter. The company ended the quarter with 2.627 million billable subscribers, up 6% year-over-year, driven by commercial Internet of Things growth. Iridium completed its $366.7 million acquisition of Aireon on 2 July 2026, expected to contribute $100 million in annual service revenue. Despite the earnings miss, shares rose 1.80% in premarket trading.
Satellite communications provider Iridium reported second-quarter 2026 results that exceeded Wall Street's revenue expectations. Sales rose 3.8% year on year to $225.2 million, beating analyst estimates of $221.8 million. However, the company's GAAP profit of $0.09 per share fell 65.7% below consensus estimates of $0.26. Adjusted EBITDA reached $119.1 million with a 52.9% margin, missing analyst forecasts of $121.5 million by 2%. Iridium's operating margin declined to 15.1% from 23.2% in the same quarter last year. The company added 703,000 subscribers year on year, bringing its total to 2.63 million. Over the past five years, Iridium achieved a solid 8.3% compounded annual revenue growth rate. Analysts expect revenue to grow 2.6% over the next 12 months.
Iridium announces commercial availability of Iridium PNT ASIC, bringing resilient GNSS protection to devices worldwide. Jul 14, 2026, 07:01 ET Ultra-compact chip delivers trusted positioning, navigation, and timing resilience amid rising spoofing and jamming threats MCLEAN, Va., July 14, 2026 /CNW/ - Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today announced the commercial availability of the Iridium PNT ASIC, a first-to-market chip designed to help protect GPS- and GNSS-dependent devices from jamming, spoofing, and other growing threats. Since the Iridium PNT ASIC's unveiling in October 2025, Iridium has received unprecedented demand from more than 150 organizations worldwide, spanning maritime, unmanned and autonomous systems (UXV), aviation, telecommunications, and other critical infrastructure sectors. "The market response to the Iridium PNT ASIC has reinforced what we're hearing from customers around the world: assured PNT is becoming an essential capability across critical industries," said Dr. Michael O'Connor, executive vice president, PNT, Iridium. "With commercial availability, we're enabling manufacturers to integrate trusted timing and location capabilities into smaller, more efficient designs, making assured PNT accessible to more applications than ever before." Measuring just 8 by 8 millimeters and weighing less than 0.2 grams, the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) represents a major step forward in expanding access to assured PNT technologies at scale. The chip delivers cryptographically secure timing and location data from the Iridium satellite network through one-way signal bursts that are powerful enough to work where traditional GNSS often cannot, including inside structures and in contested environments. By continuously validating signal integrity and delivering trusted PNT data anywhere on Earth, the Iridium PNT ASIC provides a powerful new foundation not only for resilient navigation, but also timing. Financial markets, telecommunications networks, power grids, and governments all depend on precise time synchronization to coordinate operations and maintain reliable service. As global reliance on GNSS continues to grow, so does the frequency and sophistication of signal interference such as jamming and spoofing. Recent incidents including the May 2026 in-flight jamming of United Kingdom Defence Secretary John Healey highlight increasing operational and safety risks associated with GNSS spoofing and jamming across commercial transportation, aviation, and critical infrastructure environments. According to a 2019 study sponsored by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a GPS outage was estimated to cost the U.S. economy approximately $1 billion per day. Adjusted for inflation, that figure would exceed $1.3 billion per day in 2026, underscoring the growing importance of reliable backup solutions. Compact Assured PNT Integration Underway Solace Communications, a provider of mission-critical communications solutions for demanding and remote environments, is one of several Iridium partners integrating the Iridium PNT ASIC. Its Vector family of assured PNT products combines Iridium PNT with multi-band GNSS and inertial sensing to deliver resilient positioning, navigation, and timing with continuous confidence scoring, while LTE and Iridium Short Burst Data(R)(SBD(R) provide secure telemetry and messaging. "The Iridium PNT ASIC supports our wider strategy of building one of the first edge-native, confidence-scored assured PNT platforms around multiple sources of positioning, timing, and motion data," said Adam Elcock, co-founder, Solace Communications. "Future navigation systems must do more than report a position. They must continuously determine whether that position and its timing can be trusted. That is the role Vector has been designed to fulfill and is now being deployed." Skyband Systems, a developer of aviation-grade, PNT-resilient navigation hardware, will integrate the Iridium PNT ASIC into its M100 LRU for business and commercial aviation. The M100 combines Iridium PNT with onboard inertial sensing to alert crews to GNSS jamming and spoofing while providing aircraft location for enhanced situational awareness. "Iridium's secure and powerful global service is the perfect platform for Skyband's resilient navigation product," said Robert Wiggenhorn, co-founder, Skyband Systems. "We are excited to partner with Iridium as they launch the Iridium PNT ASIC and look forward to further strengthening their legacy of aircraft innovation and safety." Iridium continues to engage with developers, original equipment manufacturers, integrators, and technology providers to incorporate assured PNT capabilities into next-generation solutions. Those interested in ordering the Iridium PNT ASIC are encouraged to visit www.iridium.com/pnt/asic. About Iridium Communications Inc. Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) operates the world's only truly global mobile satellite network. It serves as a platform for innovation, enabling voice, data, and messaging, positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), and aircraft surveillance services anywhere on Earth. Through its satellite constellation and integrated capabilities like Aireon, the world's only space-based air traffic surveillance system, Iridium delivers services that support safety-focused operations across aviation, maritime, government, industrial, and consumer markets. The company is a leader in satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and is advancing direct-to-device (D2D) communications based on open standards to expand access to satellite services. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium innovates through an ecosystem of more than 500 technology and distribution partners, serving millions of customers worldwide. For more information visit www.iridium.com. Press Contact: Jordan Hassin Iridium Communications Inc. [email protected] +1 (703) 287-7421 Investor Contact: Kenneth Levy Iridium Communications Inc. [email protected] +1 (703) 287-7570 SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.
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Industries
Consulting
Enterprise Software
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
McLean, Virginia
Founded
1991
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today