Jun 202629
Rocket Lab agrees to buy Iridium
Operates the world's only truly global mobile satellite network, delivering voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services.
$8 billionPending
Company
Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium operates a global satellite communications network used for voice and data from handheld phones, messengers and integrated transceivers. ↗
| Headquarters | Mclean, VA ↗ |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 ↗ |
| Leadership | Matthew J. Desch, CEO ↗ |
| Employees | 975 ↗ |
| Revenue | $872 million (fiscal 2025) ↗ |
| Ownership | Public; operating subsidiary Iridium Satellite LLC ↗ |
| Shares | IRDM ↗ |
| Website | iridium.com ↗ |
Products
- The Iridium constellation has 80 satellites: 66 operational and 14 in-orbit spares. ↗
- Iridium Certus is a globally available satellite broadband service for maritime, aviation, land mobile and government users. ↗
- Aireon's space-based ADS-B receivers fly aboard Iridium NEXT satellites and relay aircraft positions for air navigation service providers. ↗
- Iridium Satellite Time and Location (STL) was introduced with the Satelles acquisition. ↗
Customers
- The U.S. government is a customer and buys most of its airtime under the multi-year Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services contract. ↗
Deals since 2020
May 202614
Iridium Communications buys Aireon
Seller: NAV CANADA, The Irish Air Navigation Service, ENAV S.P.A., Naviair Surveillance A/S, NATS Limited, and certain of their affiliated entities
Operator of the world's only space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system.
$367 millionClosed Jul 2, 2026
Mar 202404
Iridium Communications buys Satelles
A provider of satellite-based time and location services that complement and protect GPS and other GNSS systems.
$126 millionClosed Apr 1, 2024
Mar 2023
Iridium Communications takes a stake in Satelles
A provider of satellite-based time and location services that complement and protect GPS and other GNSS systems.
$10 millionClosed
Jun 2022
Iridium Communications takes a stake in Aireon
Operator of the world's only space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system.
$50 millionClosed
May 202124
Iridium Communications takes a stake in DDK Positioning
An Aberdeen, Scotland based provider of enhanced Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) accuracy solutions.
UndisclosedClosed