Boeing

Boeing Delta II to Launch New Additions to Iridium Constellation

The first Boeing Delta II rocket launch of 2002 will carry the latest additions to a satellite constellation that delivers essential communications services to remote areas of the globe.

Five Iridium Satellite LLC satellites will be carried into low-earth orbit by a Boeing Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 8, 2002. The Delta program is part of Boeing Space and Communications, a unit of The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA].

The satellites will serve as spares for Iridium Satellite's global voice and data communications network. This mission (IS-1) marks the 101st Boeing Delta II mission since 1989 and the 12th Iridium launch since 1997. Between May 1997 and November 1998, Delta II vehicles successfully placed 55 of Iridium's satellites into low-earth orbit. The Boeing Delta team has extensive experience with dual and multiple payload missions for commercial and government customers. Recent successful dual payload missions include Jason-1/TIMED and EO-1/SAC-C.

Iridium Satellite LLC provides global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the Earth (including oceans, airways, and Polar Regions). Through a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting satellites operated by Boeing, Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, and heavy construction. Iridium currently provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense under a multi-year contract. Iridium works with more than 20 service partners to sell and support the service globally.

In December 2000, Iridium Satellite LLC acquired assets of Iridium LLC including the satellite constellation, terrestrial network, Iridium real property, and intellectual capital.

Boeing Launch Services markets and sells both Sea Launch and Delta commercial launch services. A separate organization continues to handle U.S. government marketing and sales for the Boeing Delta. Both marketing organizations are located in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Boeing Space and Communications (S&C), headquartered in Seal Beach, Calif., is the world's largest space and communications company. A unit of The Boeing Company, S&C provides integrated solutions in launch services, human space flight and exploration, missile defense, and information and communications. It is NASA's largest contractor; a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; and a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The global enterprise has customers worldwide and manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Australia.

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Launch broadcast information:
(Ku-band)
Feb. 8 - 0930-1130 PST
Galaxy 11/16K (CONUS)
Galaxy 11 is at 91° West
36 MHz transponder
Downlink Freq: 12018 Vertical

IS-1 mission website

For further information:
Glen Golightly
Boeing Launch Services
Office: (714) 372-4742
robert.g.golightly@boeing.com
Anne Eisele
Boeing Space and Communications
Office: (562) 797-1022
anne.f.eisele@boeing.com
Andrew Balfour
Iridium Satellite LLC
Office: (202) 466-8833
abalfour@iridium.com