Digital rendering of Iridium NEXT constellation. Photo: Iridium

[Via Satellite 07-08-2014] Iridium, using one of its phones, has completed the first end-to-end call using Iridium NEXT hardware. The call was the first step in validating the service capability of the Iridium NEXT system, for which the first satellites are set to launch in 2015.

Iridium routed the call through NEXT hardware components to simulate connecting to a NEXT satellite. After passing through the hardware components, the call path traveled through Iridium’s upgraded ground network and through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a cell phone. Iridium said the call provided initial validation of the L-band hardware and processing software it plans to use in the upcoming constellation.

The Iridium NEXT constellation is designed to boost data speeds and bandwidth, and includes a hosted payload for Aireon’s space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). NEXT satellites also support Iridium PRIME, a turnkey hosted payload solution. The completed constellation consists of 66 low-Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites, six in orbit spares and nine on the ground spares.