MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium
Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) announced today that it has been
selected as the preferred provider of satellite communications
services for The Ocean Cleanup , the non-profit organization
deploying advanced technologies to rid the world's oceans of
plastic. The Ocean Cleanup is embarking on one of the largest
environmental initiatives of this
generation by cleaning up ocean plastic debris, starting with
what's known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Ocean Cleanup
has chosen Iridium L-band satellite broadband services to support
this important mission. The service is being delivered in
partnership with Iridium service provider The AST Group.
By creating a system of 600-meter-long floating plastic
collectors (floating screens, or systems) that
include a 3-meter-deep skirt, The Ocean Cleanup collects plastic
pollution through a combination of the wind, waves, natural ocean
currents and the floating screen's ability to prevent plastic
escaping underneath it, or flowing over the top, while avoiding to
ensnare sea life. Each system is equipped with two Iridium
broadband terminals, and upon full deployment of a fleet of 60
floating screens, there will be 120 Iridium broadband terminals
operating as part of this project. The Iridium terminals will be
relaying critical systems data including compartment flood
detection, position and location information, pictures, 360 degree
video and system performance information.
"The opportunity to play a role in such an important and
historic endeavor was a no-brainer for Iridium. It's an honor
for us to be a part of The Ocean Cleanup's incredible mission to
rid the oceans of plastics," said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. "A reliable, predictable and
redundant communication network, that can work despite adverse
weather conditions is critically important to this system, and
that's when the Iridium network really shines. When the oceans
aren't cooperating and several foot waves and powerful winds are
causing havoc, the Iridium system will help make sure The Ocean
Cleanup understands the operational status of each floating screen
in the fleet."
The Iridium broadband terminals will receive data from a complex
combination of sensors and data gathering equipment hosted by each
system. That information will then be relayed to The Ocean
Cleanup's headquarters in Rotterdam in real-time. Iridium's unique
constellation of 66 interconnected low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites
requires no local ground infrastructure and provides the
robustness, reliability and redundancy needed to ensure this
critical data is delivered as expected.
Iridium is nearing complete deployment of its next-generation
satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. The new constellation
is completely replacing the previous network of 66 interconnected
satellites. To date, there have been seven successful Iridium NEXT
launches completed by SpaceX, deploying 65 new satellites. One
launch remains before completion of the company's historic
constellation refresh. In total, 75 new satellites are being
launched to LEO, of which 66 will be in the active constellation,
with nine on-orbit spares.
For more information about The Ocean Cleanup, please visit
www.theoceancleanup.com
For more information about Iridium, please visit
www.Iridium.com
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite
communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables
connections between people, organizations and assets to and from
anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner
companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of
reliable solutions for markets that require truly global
communications. The company has a major development program
underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. Iridium
Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock
trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol
IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and
partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not purely
historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The Company has based these statements on its current expectations
and the information currently available to us. Forward-looking
statements in this presentation include statements regarding the
deployment and capabilities of the Iridium NEXT constellation and
products and services to be offered over the constellation.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words
"anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects,"
"intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other expressions that are
predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from
any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties
regarding potential delays in the Iridium NEXT deployment, the
development and functionality of Iridium NEXT and related products
and services, and the company's ability to maintain the health,
capacity and content of its satellite constellation, as well as
general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal,
governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by
the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under
the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2017, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 22, 2018, and in the Company's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
2018, filed with the SEC on July 31,
2018, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC
from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium's
expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's underlying assumptions
prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those
expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and
Iridium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking
statements.
Press
Contact:
|
Investor
Contact:
|
|
|
Jordan
Hassin
|
Kenneth
Levy
|
Iridium
Communications Inc.
|
Iridium
Communications Inc.
|
+1 (646)
872-0067
|
+1 (703)
287-7570
|
Jordan.Hassin@iridium.com
|
Ken.Levy@iridium.com
|
Twitter:
@IridiumComm
|
Twitter:
@IridiumIR
|
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SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.