Wonder who will get the launch contracts... Think it will be a split order like last time? Soyuz? Falcon? Taurus?
Wow, it's like the 1990's all over again. I wonder if Iridium's business model will fall apart and demolish the launch industry's projections again too? :p
The mobile satellite services provider Iridium has ordered 81 spacecraft to upgrade its global network. Thales Alenia Space of France will build the satellites - 66 to form the operational constellation, the remainder to act as spares. The order makes the Iridium Next venture the biggest commercial space project in the world today. ($2.9bn)http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10212836.stm
Nice work there Jim, should keep you all busy for a while Never seen an order this big before!
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 06/02/2010 04:59 pmNice work there Jim, should keep you all busy for a while Never seen an order this big before!What is the ballpark mass of these satellites?1-5mt 5-10 10-15 15-20?I don't know much about Iridium, can you deploy more than 1 Iridium spacecraft per launch?
And about SpaceX... I guess even more is riding on Falcon 9 to get working!
Quote from: Robotbeat on 06/02/2010 03:32 pmAnd about SpaceX... I guess even more is riding on Falcon 9 to get working! Why for? Iridiums are better suited to the Falcon 1e than the 9.
Quote from: Downix on 06/02/2010 06:01 pmQuote from: Robotbeat on 06/02/2010 03:32 pmAnd about SpaceX... I guess even more is riding on Falcon 9 to get working! Why for? Iridiums are better suited to the Falcon 1e than the 9.Not for multiple launches (something common with LEO constellations). Sure, the old satellites are 680kg, but what if the new ones are much bigger? Falcon 9 will probably have a lower price-per-kg-to-LEO than Falcon 1e when all is said and done. Also, Falcon 9 is essential to the long-term viability of SpaceX.