Iridium considers small satellites for advanced PNT capabilities

Iridium Communications is exploring the potential use of small satellites to demonstrate advanced positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities.

Iridium CEO Matt Desch discussed this initiative during the Smallsat Symposium in Silicon Valley, where he suggested the company might venture into the smallsat business, even if only for experimental purposes.

Desch said small satellites could also support the development of a very-high frequency (VHF) radio system aimed at enhancing pilot communications with Aireon, a provider of aircraft surveillance services using hosted payloads on Iridium’s satellites.

Iridium operates a constellation of 66 Iridium Next spacecraft in low-Earth orbit (LEO) for L-band connectivity services, along with additional spare satellites. Following an engineering assessment in 2024, the company expects this constellation to remain operational until at least 2035.

The Iridium Next satellites, weighing approximately 860 kg, are significantly larger than typical small satellites used for LEO communications, which generally range from a few dozen to a few hundred kilograms. While smaller satellites offer advantages in terms of faster and more cost-effective deployment for specific missions, Iridium’s larger satellites are designed for extended operational life, supporting its global, cross-linked network.