# Iridium satellite constellation

> satellite constellation providing voice and data coverage

**Wikidata**: [Q2672736](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2672736)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_satellite_constellation)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/iridium-satellite-constellation

## Summary
The Iridium satellite constellation is a network of communications satellites providing global voice and data coverage. Operated by Iridium Communications, it consists of multiple satellites in low Earth orbit, enabling continuous connectivity worldwide.

## Key Facts
- **Operator**: Iridium Communications (since 2001).
- **Manufacturers**: Motorola (1997–2002) and Thales Alenia Space (since 2017).
- **Satellite count**: 72 operational satellites as of January 14, 2017.
- **Named after**: The chemical element iridium, reflecting its global coverage (like the element's atomic number, 77).
- **Significant figures**: Raymond J. Leopold, Ken Peterson, and Bary Bertiger were key contributors to its development.
- **Based on**: Circular polar constellations for continuous coverage above specified latitudes.
- **Part of**: The broader class of communications satellites.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of the Iridium satellite constellation?
A: It provides global voice and data communication services, ensuring coverage even in remote or polar regions where traditional networks are unavailable.

### Q: Who operates the Iridium satellite constellation?
A: Iridium Communications has operated the constellation since 2001.

### Q: How many satellites are in the Iridium constellation?
A: As of January 14, 2017, there were 72 operational satellites in the constellation.

### Q: What makes the Iridium constellation unique?
A: Its design allows for continuous global coverage, including polar regions, using a network of low Earth orbit satellites.

### Q: Who were the key people behind the Iridium satellite constellation?
A: Raymond J. Leopold, Ken Peterson, and Bary Bertiger played significant roles in its development.

## Why It Matters
The Iridium satellite constellation revolutionized global communications by providing reliable voice and data services anywhere on Earth, including remote and polar regions where traditional infrastructure is lacking. Its low Earth orbit design ensures low-latency connections, making it critical for industries like aviation, maritime, and emergency services. The constellation's resilience and global reach have made it a cornerstone of modern satellite communications, enabling connectivity in areas previously considered unreachable.

## Notable For
- **Global coverage**: Provides voice and data services worldwide, including polar regions.
- **Low Earth orbit**: Ensures low-latency communication compared to geostationary satellites.
- **Large-scale deployment**: Operates 72 satellites, making it one of the largest commercial satellite constellations.
- **Pioneering technology**: One of the first systems to offer truly global mobile satellite communications.
- **Resilience**: Designed to maintain service even if individual satellites fail.

## Body
### Overview
The Iridium satellite constellation is a network of communications satellites designed to provide global voice and data coverage. It is operated by Iridium Communications and consists of multiple satellites in low Earth orbit.

### Development and Manufacturers
- **Motorola**: Manufactured the initial satellites from 1997 to 2002.
- **Thales Alenia Space**: Took over manufacturing starting in 2017.

### Satellite Count and Coverage
- As of January 14, 2017, the constellation included 72 operational satellites.
- The system is based on circular polar constellations, ensuring continuous coverage above specified latitudes.

### Key Figures
- **Raymond J. Leopold**, **Ken Peterson**, and **Bary Bertiger** were instrumental in the development of the Iridium satellite constellation.

### Naming and Classification
- The constellation is named after the chemical element iridium, symbolizing its global reach.
- It is classified as a spacecraft constellation and a subclass of communications satellites.

### Related Satellites
- The constellation includes specific satellites like Iridium 33, Iridium NEXT, and others, each contributing to the network's functionality.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Iridium satellite constellation",
  "description": "A satellite constellation providing global voice and data coverage.",
  "url": "https://www.iridium.com/",
  "sameAs": [
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  "additionalType": "Communications satellite constellation"
}

## References

1. Eccentric Orbits
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Iridium Museum – An Overview](https://www.iridiummuseum.com/exhibits/iridium-an-overview/)