Iridium NEXT-8 Launch and the Future of Satellite Communications

The Space Economy

Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe pole to pole. It enables connections between people, organisations and assets to and from anywhere in the world, in real time. Wireless Innovation (now trading as Ground Control)’s partnership with Iridium helps us to deliver innovative end-to-end solutions, tailored for each of our client’s specific needs, to provide a complete view of their data to enable better business decisions.

SpaceX, who design, manufacture and launch advanced rockets and spacecrafts, are currently helping providers to launch satellites in their thousands, which means that the total number of satellites in orbit is set to double by 2027; reaching almost 20,000.

These satellites are bringing cost-effective internet connectivity to businesses and individuals in remote and challenging locations where it has previously been unavailable, opening up a host of new business opportunities and enabling more effective business management. The Economist anticipates that this increased accessibility will see the space economy grow from £275 billion (in 2016) to nearly £1 trillion by 2040. New internet satellites will account for half this increase.

Iridium NEXT-8 Launch Campaign

Approaching the end of a two-year campaign, Iridium has been working with SpaceX to replace their existing satellite constellation. This involves sending 75 Iridium NEXT satellites into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during a series of eight launches.

65 of those satellites have already been placed into orbit and to complete deployment of Iridium’s second-generation constellation the final ten will lift off this month from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base. Nine of the total NEXT 75 satellites launched will serve as on-orbit spares and another six will be left on the ground to serve as further spares, in case they are needed during the life-cycle of their new constellation.

Once the final ten are launched they will deploy into the same orbital plane, within a month, to complete a 100% Iridium NEXT network.

We are looking forward to the resolution of Iridium’s highly anticipated global satellite constellation refresh. This historic project is not only one of the most significant commercial space ventures, but the completion will welcome an unrivalled technological platform for innovation in data and communication solutions. The power of this constellation will facilitate a host of advanced services, which will utilise even smaller and more cost-effective terminals, turbocharging Iridium satellite connectivity and providing the world’s fastest global L-band broadband service.

The Ultimate Launch Soundtrack

In early 2019, Iridium created their very first satellite launch playlist on Spotify. They’ve been collating a new playlist to commemorate the final launch featuring songs that will complement the SpaceX launch webcast and reflect the Iridium story.

The completion of this Iridium NEXT constellation is redefining the capabilities of mobile satellite communications, powering Iridium Certus to deliver the next generation of broadband, critical safety, disaster recovery, L-band communications, and data solutions to businesses and individuals in every industry, all over the world.

Get in touch

Ground Control is a Tier 1 Iridium Reseller. We have been working with Iridium for over 10 years, and also design and build hardware like the RockBLOCK that uses Iridium SBD to communicate. In short, you’re in safe hands.

Please get in touch for more information or to set up an account – we are here to help and assist. For large deployments, we are often able to create custom tariffs and pricing schemes, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Iridium Announces CloudConnect

Making the rounds in satcom news in October 2018 was the announcement that Iridium will join the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network with its newest offering, CloudConnect.

CloudConnect is a communications platform for IoT devices that gives developers access to AWS computing power, database storage, applications and other valuable IT resources. Thanks to CloudConnect, developers will be able to rapidly design and deploy scalable and cost-effective IoT solutions. Rock Seven (now trading as Ground Control) intends to be one of the early adopters of CloudConnect, and we’re working with both Amazon and Iridium to bring the first CloudConnect tools to market in early 2019.

The possibilities for IoT are staggering – a complementary IHS Technology whitepaper cited by Iridium in its CloudConnect press release forecasts 75.4 billion devices operating by 2025. An earlier McKinsey Global Institute report estimated that IoT devices will inject anywhere from 4 to 11 trillion USD a year into the global economy.

With such a bright future for IoT, it may come as a surprise that more than 80% of the world doesn’t even have access to cellular networks – and this is why Iridium’s announcement is a big deal. With CloudConnect and its nearly complete NEXT constellation, Iridium addresses the issues of interoperability and satellite data bandwidth – both key to future-proofing IoT services.

“Iridium CloudConnect will completely change the speed at which a satellite IoT solution can be deployed and will allow existing AWS customers to keep everything the same on the back end, while opening up the opportunity to quickly expand their coverage,” says Iridium CEO Matt Desch. “This is a major disruption for satellite IoT. Costs will drop, time to market will speed up, risk will be reduced, and AWS IoT customers that choose Iridium CloudConnect can now enjoy true global connectivity for their solutions.”

As more information is released to the public regarding CloudConnect, we will update you on how it will drive improve IoT services, including those offered by Rock Seven (now trading as Ground Control). One thing is certain – the 630,000 active Iridium devices counted by Iridium on June 30th of this year is only the beginning.