Satellite operator Iridium to fly on 'flight proven' SpaceX boosters

Emre Kelly
Florida Today

Satellite operator Iridium is targeting the end of this year for its first flight on a previously flown SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California, the company said Thursday.

Both companies are targeting Dec. 22 for launch on a "flight proven" booster from Vandenberg Air Force Base, which would be the first of two launches on recycled first stages. 

Iridium, a consistent customer for SpaceX with three prior launches from Vandenberg, had previously expressed interest in flying on "flight proven" boosters, but Thursday's announcement is the first official target for both companies.

[SpaceX targeting November for mysterious 'Zuma' launch from KSC]

[SpaceX Falcon 9 booster arrives at Port Canaveral after Atlas V launch]

"Iridium conducted extensive due diligence work and is fully confident in the SpaceX booster refurbishment program," the company said in a statement. "Iridium confirmed with its insurers that there is no increase in premium for the launch program as a result of the use of flight-proven Falcon 9 rockets, further supporting Iridium’s conclusion that the risk profile is unchanged."

SpaceX has so far deployed 30 satellites for the Iridum NEXT constellation, a $3 billion replacement of Iridium's aging low Earth orbit network, whose first satellites are nearly 20 years old. The new network will improve mobile voice and data connections around the globe, as well as enable real-time tracking of aircraft and ships. Each of the Iridium NEXT spacecraft are about the size of a Mini Cooper and weigh about 2,000 pounds.

The company hopes to have the full constellation deployed by mid-2018.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook at @EmreKelly.