Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This phone was developed as an integral part of a space-based communications system called Iridium, which began operation in 1998. Conceived, designed, and built by Motorola, the Iridium system provides wireless, mobile communications through a network of 66 satellites in polar, low-Earth orbits. Hand-held mobile phones, such as this one, link directly to the satellite network (via the antenna on the top of the phone), allowing users to communicate nearly anywhere in the world--a first in the history of telephony. As of 2007, the network still is in operation.

This phone, built by Motorola, was introduced in 1998 when Iridium initiated service and was donated by Iridium Operating LLC to the Museum in 2000.

 Display Status

This object is on display in One World Connected at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

One World Connected
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type EQUIPMENT-Communications Devices Manufacturer Motorola Space and Systems Technology Group, Satellites Communications Division
 Dimensions 3-D: 6.4 × 6.7 × 19.4cm (2 1/2 × 2 5/8 × 7 5/8 in.)
Other (Antenna Deployed Vertically): 40.6cm (1 ft. 4 in.)
3-D (antenna secured at 45deg): 30.2 × 16.8 × 6.3cm (11 7/8 × 6 5/8 × 2 1/2 in.)
 Materials Plastic, glass, copper
 Inventory Number A20000658000 Credit Line Gift of Iridium Operating LLC. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.