Iridium Next Flight 5 (x10) - Falcon 9 (B1041.2) - Vandenberg SLC-4E - 30.03.2018 14:14 UTC

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Matt Desch‏ @IridiumBoss 8 ч. назад

Will report next Iridium launch date soon. I CAN report that Iridium 5 will be directed to our orbital Plane #1 - all 10 will go into service there. It will also be a morning launch - probably a little before 8am local...

[che wi]

Peter B. de Selding‏ @pbdes · 3h

5th @SpaceX launch for @IridiumComm - 10 2d-gen sats to LEO -- set for March 18 from Vandenberg AFB, Iridium says.

[Salo]

[Salo]

http://investor.iridium.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1054853

Iridium Announces Date for Fifth Iridium® NEXT Launch First Iridium launch of 2018 set to begin rapid launch cadence targeting completion by mid-year

MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) announced today that the fifth Iridium NEXT launch has been targeted by SpaceX for March 18, 2018 at 8:19 am PDT (15:19 UTC) fr om Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The first of four launches planned for 2018, Iridium-5 will deliver 10 more Iridium NEXT satellites to orbit, bringing the total number of new satellites deployed to 50. This launch will use the same Falcon 9 first stage as the Iridium-3 launch that took place in October 2017 and begin a rapid-cadence launch schedule targeting completion of the Iridium manifest by mid-2018. 

"We are entering the home stretch," said Matt Desch, chief executive officer, at Iridium. "This is going to be a monumental year for us as we complete our constellation refresh. In addition to four launches, we will continue the testing and validation processes for our new specialty broadband service, Iridium CertusSM, and look forward to its commercial launch later this year. We consider 2017 to be a great success and anticipate this year to be even better."
The Iridium network is comprised of six polar orbiting planes, each containing 11 operational crosslinked satellites, for a total of 66 satellites in the active constellation. The Iridium-5 launch will deliver the new satellites to orbital plane 1, wh ere all 10 will go directly into service after testing and validation.  Following Iridium-5, the Iridium-6 Rideshare mission is targeted for mid-to-late April.  The Rideshare will carry five Iridium NEXT satellites and the twin satellites for the NASA/German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On mission. The final four launches will bring a total of 35 new satellites to space, completing the constellation of 66 operational satellites and 9 in-orbit spares.
Iridium NEXT is the company's $3 billion, next-generation, mobile, global satellite network scheduled for completion in 2018. The constellation features 66 active satellites, plus nine on-orbit spares. In total, 81 new satellites are being built, with the six remaining satellites serving as ground spares. Iridium NEXT will replace the company's existing global constellation in one of the largest technology upgrades ever completed in space.  It represents the evolution of critical communications infrastructure that governments and organizations worldwide rely on to drive business, enable connectivity, empower disaster relief efforts and more.
For more information about Iridium NEXT, please visit www.IridiumNEXT.com

About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Sel ect Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.
 

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the timing for deployment, development and capabilities of the Iridium NEXT constellation and services to be offered over the constellation, including Iridium Certus. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects," "intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding potential delays in the Iridium NEXT deployment, the development and functionality of Iridium NEXT and related services, and the company's ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, as well as general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC" )  on February 23, 2017, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium's expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially fr om those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

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Stephen Clark‏ @StephenClark1 44 мин. назад

Iridium now says their next launch has bumped back to March 29, after the Paz mission slipped.

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Из переписки

Tagnan‏ @mrtagnan 8 ч. назад

@IridiumBoss approximately what time will Iridium 5 launch at? Close to sunset/sunrise or no?

Matt Desch‏ @IridiumBoss 7 ч. назад

7:20am pst. That's about 25 minutes after sunrise. Hard to terrorize Southern California that way, but we'll do our best...

Dark Energy‏ @Alejandro_DebH 4 ч. назад

It is PST or PDT? I think you change the clocks on the 11th there in America, right?

Matt Desch‏ @IridiumBoss

В ответ @Alejandro_DebH @mrtagnan

How 'bout we do it this way?: 14:19:49 UTC


18:13 - 24 февр. 2018 г.

Пуск в 17:19:49 ДМВ

[Pirat5]

у Гюнтера появились номера Ирридиумов для этого пуска:
Iridium-NEXT 140
Iridium-NEXT 142
Iridium-NEXT 143
Iridium-NEXT 144
Iridium-NEXT 145
Iridium-NEXT 146
Iridium-NEXT 148
Iridium-NEXT 149
Iridium-NEXT 150
Iridium-NEXT 157

[поц]

Michael Baylor‏ @nextspaceflight  14 ч.14 часов назад 

The next #SpaceX launch isn't until the end of the month.

[Pirat5]

свежие новости от ChrisG на месяц вперёд 

#SpaceX manifest - Company aims for 5 #Falcon9 launches in just 1 month (all dates NET): 
29 March - Iridium-5; SLC-4E 
2 April - CRS-14; SLC-40 
5 April - Bangabandhu-1; LC-39A 
16 April - TESS (@NASA_TESS / @TESSatMIT); SLC-40 
Late-April - Iridium-6/GRACE-FO; SLC-4E. @IridiumComm 
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/972201760281563137 

For the upcoming flights: 
Iridium-5: Sea or expendable 
CRS-14: Land 
Bangabandhu: Sea 
TESS: Unknown which option 
Iridium-6/GRACE-FO: Sea or expendable 
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/972284824324108288

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Stefan Barensky‏ @StefanBarensky 1 ч. назад

Les dix satellites de la cinquième grappe d'#IridiumNEXT sont arrivés à Vandenberg. Lancement prévu à la fin du mois sur un #Falcon9 de @SpaceX. @IridiumComm @Thales_Alenia_S


Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 15 мин. назад

ARTICLE: Satellites for the fifth Iridium NEXT launch arrive at Vandenberg -

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/03/satellites-fifth-iridium-next-launch-arrive-vandenberg/ ...

Спойлер

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http://investor.iridium.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1060507

Mar 12, 2018
All 10 Satellites for the Fifth Iridium® NEXT Launch Have Arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base

Satellites are Undergoing Pre-Launch Preparation for Late-March SpaceX Launch, the First Iridium Launch of 2018

MCLEAN, Va., March 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) announced today that all 10 Iridium NEXT satellites for its fifth launch have arrived and are in processing at SpaceX's west coast launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This launch will increase the total number of Iridium NEXT satellites in space to 50 and is the second Iridium launch to use a "flight-proven" SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Iridium-5 is currently targeted for March 29, 2018 at 7:19 am PDT (14:19 UTC).

Спойлер

The operational Iridium constellation is comprised of 66 interconnected satellites, divided into six polar orbiting planes with 11 satellites in each plane — as well as nine additional in-orbit spares with one or two in each plane. Destined for Iridium orbital plane one, all 10 of the Iridium NEXT satellites deployed during this launch will immediately go into service following rigorous testing and validation. To date, four Iridium NEXT launches carrying 10 satellites each have been completed, and over half of the Iridium NEXT constellation has been put into active service. Iridium has contracted with SpaceX to deliver 75 Iridium NEXT satellites to orbit through a series of eight launches.

"Now that we are more than halfway deployed, we can really focus on the impact our next-generation of services will make on the industry," said Iridium CEO, Matt Desch. "Testing of our exciting new L-band broadband service, Iridium CertusSM, has been performing well, and with every successful launch, we are closer to bringing our full suite of Iridium NEXT solutions to life. With each day, we are meeting key milestones to complete our new network this year, and we can't wait to see this fifth set arrive in space to keep up the momentum."

This fifth launch will use the same Falcon 9 rocket first stage that carried the third set of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites to orbit in October of 2017. Upon arrival to the launch site, each Iridium NEXT satellite begins a number of pre-launch processing steps including mating to the dispenser, fueling and encapsulation within the fairing. The satellites were shipped two at a time, in specially-designed motion and temperature-controlled containers designed to maintain optimal environmental conditions.

Iridium NEXT is the company's $3 billion next-generation mobile, global satellite network scheduled for completion in 2018. Iridium NEXT will replace the Company's existing global constellation in one of the largest technology upgrades ever completed in space. It represents the evolution of critical communications infrastructure that governments and organizations worldwide rely upon to drive business, enable connectivity, empower disaster relief efforts and more. Iridium NEXT will enable and introduce new services like the Company's next-generation communications platform, Iridium Certus, and the AireonSM space-based ADS-B aircraft surveillance and flight tracking network.

For more information about Iridium NEXT, please visit www.IridiumNEXT.com.

Iridium is exhibiting at SATELLITE 2018 in Washington, DC.  Visit booth #1801 between Tuesday, March 13th and Thursday, March 15th to learn more about Iridium and check out the new Iridium Augmented Reality experience.

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https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/174499.jpg:large

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Iridium Corporate‏Подлинная учетная запись @IridiumComm 9 ч.назад

#Iridium5 Update: Less than 2 weeks from the 5th #IridiumNEXT launch & all 10 satellites have been mated to their dispensers. Next steps include fueling, stacking & encapsulation- What fuel do they use? Check out our blog from last June... http://bit.ly/2pi6iyy  #freakyfuel

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https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/03/20/launch-preps-advance-in-california-for-next-falcon-9-flight/

Launch preps advance in California for next Falcon 9 flight
March 20, 2018 | Stephen Clark


All 10 Iridium Next satellites for the next Falcon 9 launch have arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for liftoff March 29. Credit: Iridium

SpaceX's fifth launch of replacement spacecraft for Iridium's global voice and data communications network is set for March 29 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a flight that Iridium hopes will signal the start of a brisk pace of West Coast missions to complete deployment of the telecom company's initial 75-satellite constellation this summer.

All 10 satellites assigned to the March 29 launch have been bolted on their SpaceX-built mounting platform for fueling, a procedure that was expected to conclude early this week.

Спойлер

Each of the satellites will weigh 1,896 pounds (860 kilograms) with a full load of hydrazine maneuvering propellant. The combination of the 10 satellites, plus their two-tier dispenser module, make the Iridium missions the heaviest payloads launched by SpaceX to date.

Built in Gilbert, Arizona, by Thales Alenia Space in partnership with Orbital ATK, the latest satellites set to join the Iridium Next fleet were trucked to Vandenberg Air Force Base in pairs, then passed post-shipment checkouts before their stacking on the deployment structure.

The schedule called for technicians to load around 361 pounds (164 kilograms) of hydrazine into each of the Iridium Next satellites over the weekend. The final major steps for the spacecraft will be their encapsulation inside the Falcon 9 rocket's payload shroud, which protects the satellites during their stay on the launch pad prior to liftoff, and during the first few minutes of flight through the dense lower atmosphere.

Meanwhile, SpaceX ground crews are preparing the Falcon 9 rocket inside the hangar at Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg. The booster launching March 29 first flew in October with the third set of Iridium Next satellites, then landed on SpaceX's rocket recovery vessel in the Pacific Ocean for refurbishment and reuse.

After completing a hold-down firing at the launch pad, the rocket will return to the hangar for workers to connect the Falcon 9's payload fairing and the Iridium Next satellites. The Falcon 9 will return to the launch pad, located around 1,000 feet (300 meters) from the hangar, around a day before liftoff.

The Falcon 9 will be hoisted vertical atop the launch mount for final pre-flight checks.

Launch is set for March 29 at 7:19:49 a.m. PDT (10:19:49 a.m. EDT; 1419:49 GMT). The instantaneous launch opportunity is timed to place the 10 payloads into Plane 1 of the Iridium network, which has spacecraft spread in six orbital planes, each with 11 spacecraft.


The 10 Iridium Next satellites set for launch March 29 have been attached to their mounting fixture. Credit: Iridium

The 10 new Iridium Next satellites launching next week will join 40 others lofted by four Falcon 9 launches last year. Iridium is deploying an upgraded voice and data relay network to replace an aging satellite fleet that launched in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Iridium has invested $3 billion in the new-generation system, purchasing 81 satellites from an industrial partnership between Thales Alenia Space and Orbital ATK, eight Falcon 9 launches from SpaceX, and modernized ground terminals to allow the company's more than 900,000 subscribers to connect to the network. The new satellites allow Iridium to debut voice and Internet capabilities, alongside the network's previous telephone, messaging and tracking applications.

"Now that we are more than halfway deployed, we can really focus on the impact our next-generation of services will make on the industry," said Iridium CEO, Matt Desch. "Testing of our exciting new L-band broadband service, Iridium Certus, has been performing well, and with every successful launch, we are closer to bringing our full suite of Iridium Next solutions to life. With each day, we are meeting key milestones to complete our new network this year, and we can't wait to see this fifth set arrive in space to keep up the momentum."

Earlier this month, Iridium said 34 of the Iridium Next satellites launched last year had entered service, meaning more than half of the 66 active satellites in the company's fleet were new members of the constellation. Three more were due to become operational by the end of March.

Besides their primary mobile communications function, the Iridium Next satellite also host instrumentation to track global air and maritime traffic.

Iridium and SpaceX have three more missions booked after next week's launch.

Five Iridium Next satellites will share a Falcon 9 launch from California in late April with two joint U.S.-German research satellites to probe Earth's gravity field. A launch date for that mission has not been confirmed, but filings with the Federal Communications Commission suggest the flight is scheduled for no earlier than April 28.

A launch in late April would occur around 3 p.m. PDT (6 p.m. EDT; 2200 GMT), based on the time that the Earth's rotation begins the Vandenberg launch base under the mission's targeted orbital plane.

Two dedicated Falcon 9 flights, each with 10 satellites on-board, will wrap up the Iridium Next launch sequence. Iridium expects the eighth and final launch in the series to occur in July, according to a company spokesperson.

Six of the 81 satellites Iridium purchased have not been booked for a launch, and will remain on Earth as ground spares for now. Iridium has not ruled out launching the final six Iridium Next satellites in the future.

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Michael Baylor‏ @nextspaceflight 1 мин. назад

#SpaceX fairing recovery vessel Mr. Steven is out in the Pacific for (most likely) some testing. The vessel also did this before the PAZ launch last month. Mr. Steven is expected to perform another fairing recovery attempt during the Iridium-5 mission in about a week.

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Iridium Corporate‏Подлинная учетная запись @IridiumComm 9 ч. назад

We're 8 days out from #Iridium5 and excited to share our official #IridiumNEXT 5th launch patch! Check it out along with other collectibles here: http://bit.ly/2GazEZi  And, come launch day, we'll share the hidden meaning found within this patch. #IridiumRising

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ПМСМ, возможно, зона затопления 2-й ст Falcon-9

NOTAM

NTTT

A0146/18 - AIRSPACE DEBRIS REENTRY WITHIN AN AREA BOUNDED BY:
2759S14719W 2754S14430W 2837S14208W 7232S13135W 7305S14638W
TO POINT OF ORIGIN
THIS AREA IS PROHIBITED DURING ACTIVITY. MSL - UNL, 1545-1640, 29 MAR 15:45
2018 UNTIL 02 APR 16:40 2018. CREATED: 20 MAR 20:20 2018

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NOTAM, 2-я ст РН

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Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 25 мин. назад

So next up we wait for locals in VandyLand to spot Falcon 9 booster (B1041.2) sat on SLC-4E. That should be soon if they are going for a NET Sunday morning Static Fire test ahead of Iridium NEXT-5. As always, subject to change.

[tnt22]

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/03/falcon-9-vandenberg-static-fire-fifth-iridium-next-mission/

The static fire test is currently scheduled on the Western Range to be conducted in a window that opens at 7 AM local time (14:00 UTC) on March 25, although this is subject to change.

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SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX 1 мин. назад

Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting March 29 launch of Iridium-5 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.