Communications Satellite, Iridium

Object Details

Manufacturer: Motorola Space and Systems Technology Group, Satellites Communications Division

Summary: This satellite is the heart of a space-based communications system called Iridium. Conceived, designed, and built by Motorola, the Iridium system provides wireless, mobile communications through a network of 66 satellites in polar, low-Earth orbits. Inaugurated in November 1998, under the auspices of Iridium LLC, this complex space system allowed callers using hand-held mobile phones and pagers to communicate anywhere in the world--a first in the history of telephony.; The system is still operational today. Designed primarily for commercial communications, the U.S. government has used Iridium extensively in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.; This artifact was the first prototype satellite Motorola built for Iridium, and it includes engineering and flight components. The company donated it to the Museum in 1998.
Alternate Name: Communications Satellite, Iridium

Materials: Satellite bus: aluminum, mylar; payload: aluminum, copper, plastic; solar panels: aluminum, glass, silicon
Dimensions: Overall (sat. bus, triangular config.): 13ft 1 1/2in. x 26ft 2 15/16in. x 3ft 3 3/8in., 860lb. (400.05 x 799.94 x 100.01cm, 390.1kg); Overall (Shipping container): 221 × 226.1 × 586.7cm, 5279.9kg (7 ft. 3 in. × 7 ft. 5 in. × 19 ft. 3 in., 11640lb.)