Article Posted on : - Apr 20, 2011

GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND (BNS): Thales Alenia Space has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin to develop, test and support integration of payload application software for the Iridium NEXT satellites.

Iridium NEXT is expected to begin launching in 2015, and will replace the company’s current satellite constellation.

Iridium operates the world’s farthest reaching communications network and largest commercial satellite constellation, providing data satellite communications service through a constellation of 66 low Earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites.

Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for Iridium NEXT, the next-generation satellite constellation being designed, built and launched for Iridium Communications Inc.