Next Iridium Next Launch Set for Oct. 4

The 10 satellites making up Iridium's third Next constellation launch are at Vandenberg Air Force Base and scheduled for Oct. 4 liftoff, the company said Wednesday. The launch originally was planned for Sept. 30 (see 1707280016), but SpaceX required more time for rocket preparation, Iridium blogged last month. Iridium Next eventually will consist of 81 satellites -- 66 in operation, 15 on-orbit spares and six ground spares -- and the October launch will be the third of what eventually will be eight, with the constellation to be operational next year, it said.