WASHINGTON-Little LEO Iridium Inc. remained hopeful last week that a rescheduled Jan. 19 launch of three satellites from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base-the company’s fourth attempt at liftoff-would prove successful.
The launch of the trio will signal the beginning of a 66-unit global constellation that will facilitate voice and data communications anywhere. Motorola Satellite Communications Group is the prime contractor. The Delta II launch vehicle was built by McDonnell Douglas.
Iridium targeted Jan. 8 as the takeoff date, but delayed the launch due to a problem in the ground system’s software that handles telemetry. The Jan. 10 and Jan. 11 attempts also were foiled for mechanical reasons.
An Iridium spokeswoman could not comment on when the launch would be rescheduled in the event of another glitch and what effect these delays were having on the $5 billion program. A reported launch window may be open until early February.
