Lockheed Martin has completed the critical design review (CDR) of the application software designed for the Iridium NEXT constellation of global communication satellites.
Teams from Iridium, Thales Alenia Space and Lockheed Martin reviewed the design to make sure it will support the functions required for the Iridium devices.
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Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions-Defense Operational Systems and Services vice president Bob Kramer said the milestone validated the application’s software for advanced telecommunications services.
"The new software supports all capabilities currently available to Iridium subscribers and its modular design will allow 3G services to be seamlessly implemented into the new constellation," Kramer said.
Completion of the CDR keeps the launch of the new generation communication satellites on schedule for 2015.
The software, which supports subscriber services to user terminals, uses a multi-processor hardware platform and integrates new platforms by inserting the software modules.
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By GlobalDataLockheed Martin is a member of the Iridium NEXT Mission Team contracted to develop and build new constellation of satellites, likely to replace the existing 66 cross-linked low-Earth orbiting devices of the Iridium constellation.
Iridium NEXT is expected to offer continuous coverage across the Earth’s atmosphere and significantly improve Iridium’s mobile communications services.
Iridium Satellite Development and Operations executive vice president Scott Smith added: "Lockheed Martin’s completion of the CDR is an important step in our progress toward providing Iridium users with next-generation capabilities."
Image: The NEXT constellation of satellites will replace the existing 66 satellites of the Iridium constellation (pictured). Photo: courtesy of Cliff1066.
