The Iridium® Satellite Constellation

Iridium’s cross-linked LEO constellation architecture provides multiple layers of resiliency and redundancy to provide industry-leading network reliability.

Iridium’s constellation consists of 66 cross-linked operational satellites, plus nine in-orbit spares. The satellites operate in near-circular low-Earth orbits (LEO) about 780 km (483 miles) above the Earth’s surface. There are 11 satellites in each of six orbital planes and their orbits “crisscross” roughly over the north and south poles.

The Iridium Network