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Iridium offers voice and data services anywhere on the world via its constellation of 66 interconnected low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. It is deemed a highly resilient service, used by industries for mission-critical, reliable, low-latency, weather-resilient communications, 24/7, globally.
Iridium Communications is also a wholesaler, with over 500 partners, on-selling their satellite services, who also develop applications and devices used on Iridium’s one-of-a-kind network.
Key markets are maritime, aviation, government, land-based handset, and Internet of Things (IoT).
Iridium’s original constellation was launched in the late 1990s and is 66 satellites in low Earth orbit.

What’s new, and of interest to space stock investors, who also want to invest in Space Force, is Iridium NEXT: Starting in the early 2010s, Iridium started a massive upgrade costing $3 billion, known as Iridium NEXT.

This was the launching of a new generation of 66 satellites, more advanced and capable than their predecessor. These new satellites have increased data speeds, better voice quality, and additional features like satellite-based GPS.

Is an Investment in Iridium an investment in Space Force? Answer: Partially, and there is room to move. According to Space New (June2024), Iridium was awarded a contract within the U.S. Space Force (awarded by the Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office (COMSO)).  This is a new five-year contract valued at $94 million to provide communication services to the U.S. Department of Defense.