National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Past Exhibition
This satellite is the heart of a space-based communications system called Iridium. Conceived, designed, and built by Motorola, the Iridium system provides wireless, mobile communications through a network of 66 satellites in polar, low-Earth orbits. Inaugurated in November 1998, under the auspices of Iridium LLC, this complex space system allowed callers using hand-held mobile phones and pagers to communicate anywhere in the world--a first in the history of telephony.
The system is still operational today. Designed primarily for commercial communications, the U.S. government has used Iridium extensively in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
This artifact was the first prototype satellite Motorola built for Iridium, and it includes engineering and flight components. The company donated it to the Museum in 1998.
Display Status
This object is on display in One World Connected at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed
Manufacturer
Motorola Space and Systems Technology Group, Satellites Communications Division
Dimensions
Overall (sat. bus, triangular config.): 13ft 1 1/2in. x 26ft 2 15/16in. x 3ft 3 3/8in., 860lb. (400.05 x 799.94 x 100.01cm, 390.1kg)
Overall (Shipping container): 221 × 226.1 × 586.7cm, 5279.9kg (7 ft. 3 in. × 7 ft. 5 in. × 19 ft. 3 in., 11640lb.)
Materials
Satellite bus: aluminum, mylar; payload: aluminum, copper, plastic; solar panels: aluminum, glass, silicon
Alternate Name
Communications Satellite, Iridium
Inventory Number
A19990005000
Credit Line
Gift of Motorola, Inc.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
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