Iridium Looks to Keep Some 1st-Generation Satellites as Temporary Spares

Iridium wants to keep up to 10 of its first-generation broadband constellation satellites in storage orbit while it begins installing its second-generation Next constellation. An FCC International Bureau filing Thursday said Iridium needs 30 days of special temporary authority starting Tuesday for the storage orbit at roughly 763 kilometers, 15 kilometers below mission altitude. It said the first-generation satellites will stay there as spares and eventually be deorbited on a rolling basis. The company said the first-generation satellites won't operate as part of its mission constellation while they're in storage orbit.