Iridium Communications CEO Matt Desch said the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 incident has prompted the aviation industry to consider using satellite technologies for commercial aircraft tracking, Air Traffic Management magazine reported Tuesday. Aimee Turner writes Desch told the magazine that air navigation service providers are also moving down a path to implement automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast. “I […] More

Iridium Communications and Thales Alenia Space have completed a test call of the L-band hardware and associated software for the Iridium NEXT constellation, demonstrating end-to-end call flow through satellite, ground and public switched telephone networks. Iridium said Tuesday the milestone validates the Iridium NEXT system’s capabilities for satellite communications as the companies prepare for the first launch next year. “Placing […] More

Iridium Communications and SpaceX have completed qualification tests for the dispenser assembly of the Iridium NEXT satellite. The satellite dispenser underwent fit check, separation and shock testing, a modal survey and static loads tests, Iridium said Thursday. “The dispenser passed its system level qualification tests with flying colors, and we’re now moving forward with launch preparations,” […] More

Harris Corp. has completed the simulated operation testing phase on the company’s satellite-based aircraft tracking system. The Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast 1090 Extended Squitter receiver payload passed the duration and performance testing in harsh conditions to qualify for more than 12 years of usage, Harris said Monday. Bill Gattle, vice president and general manager of national […] More