Next Iridium Launch Set for Sept. 30

The third launch of Iridium Next constellation satellites is scheduled for Sept. 30 on a SpaceX Falcon rocket out of Vandenberg Air Force Base, the company blogged Friday. Iridium said the 10 satellites would bring the number of Next satellites deployed to 30, with the goal being a total of 75 Next satellites in orbit. It said Oct. 1 is a backup date in case of inclement weather. The fourth Next launch is to happen in late November, it said.