Iridium Satellite Network
Unparalleled reach, high coverage and high dependability of the Iridium network means you can rely on your critical communication lifelines to work when you need them most – anywhere.
Iridium’s unique, crosslinked mesh architecture creates a web of coverage encompassing 100% of the planet from Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), providing low-latency, weather resilient services unlike any other satellite provider. No other network matches the reach, coverage, and reliability of Iridium – regardless of flight path.
Reliability above all
In early 2019, Iridium completed the $3 billion Iridium NEXT mission, which completely replaced the first-generation Iridium constellation. With an upgraded network, Iridium is poised now more than ever to meet the growing demand for global communications on land, at sea, and in the skies – far into the future.
A uniquely sophisticated architecture
Iridium operates the world’s largest commercial constellation, with a mesh architecture of 66 cross-linked Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites providing inherent performance and dependability advantages over bent pipe geostationary (GEO) configurations.
The low-earth orbit advantage
At only 476 miles (780 km) from the Earth, the proximity of Iridium’s LEO network means pole-to-pole coverage, a shorter transmission path, stronger signals, lower latency and shorter registration time with GEO satellites.
Unaffected by local conditions, such as natural disasters
In space, an Iridium satellite is linked up to four others – two in the same orbital plane and one in each adjacent plane – creating a dynamic network that routes traffic among satellites to ensure global coverage, even when traditional local systems are unavailable.