Iridium Asks for Additional Life for First-Generation Constellation

Iridium wants an OK to extend the lifespan of its first-generation satellite constellation so it has enough time for its Next constellation to become fully operational. In an FCC International Bureau filing Monday, the company asked that the license term be extended by 18 months, until July 31, 2019. It said delays in the initial Next launch -- which happened in January (see 1701060064) -- required altering the schedule for the constellation's full deployment. The company asked for approval to continue to use a storage orbit for first-generation satellites to act as spares and to maneuver satellites in the spare and operational orbits as needed to continue providing service.