Iridium Communications has awarded a $492 million launch contract to SpaceX to carry multiple Iridium Next constellation satellites on Falcon 9 rockets, the companies announced June 16.
     The deal represents the largest commercial launch contract to date. Over a two-year period starting in early 2015, SpaceX will insert the satellites into a low-earth orbit (LEO) from the Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) in California. Launch services are included in the total estimated cost of $2.9 billion for Iridium Next.
“Two weeks ago, we announced our fixed-price contract with Thales Alenia Space. We also announced our Coface-backed financing plan, and today I am pleased to announce our partnership with SpaceX for extremely cost-effective launch services,” Iridium CEO Matt Desch said in a statement.
    “This is the third major building block on the road to Iridium NEXT,” said Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium. “Two weeks ago, we announced our fixed-price contract with Thales Alenia Space. We also announced our Coface-backed financing plan, and today I am pleased to announce our partnership with SpaceX for extremely cost-effective launch services.”
    Desch said SpaceX offered dedicated launch slots within its manifest, which currently has 24 Falcon 9 flights scheduled, including those for commercial and government customers, during the next five years. SpaceX launched its debut Falcon-9 rocket on June 4 and achieved Earth orbit, marking a successful inaugural performance for the highly anticipated medium-lift launch vehicle.