WASHINGTON-Iridium LLC launched a Delta II rocket carrying five more Iridium satellites into orbit March 30, bringing its total number of operational satellites to 56.
The launch of the satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California had to be rescheduled after low ground-level winds prevented a planned March 27 launch. The Delta rocket lifted off the launch pad at 10: 02 p.m. PST, and the satellites separated from the rocket about 80 minutes after liftoff.
“It’s been an exciting five days-two launches from opposite ends of the earth carrying a total of seven Iridium satellites into orbit,” said Iridium’s Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Edward F. Staiano, referring to the company’s recent launch of two satellites from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China.
“With 80 percent of our constellation deployed, Iridium now enters the six month countdown to September 23rd, the launch of our commercial service.”
