Investment

• Iridium Communications reported strong Q2 2025 results with $216.9 million in revenue (up 8% YoY), highlighting continued growth in its satellite-based services across commercial and government markets. Space-relevant updates include the ramp-up of its direct-to-device satellite connectivity and expanding applications of its Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) service. The company’s U.S. Space Force EMSS contract, a $738.5M agreement for satellite airtime, continues to anchor Iridium’s government operations, which saw a 1% revenue increase despite subscriber decline. Engineering and support revenue surged 62%, driven by increased government activity.

• Collins Aerospace will expand its manufacturing and R&D operations in Richardson, Texas, creating over 570 new jobs and investing more than $57 million. Supported by a $3.7 million Texas Enterprise Fund grant, the expansion reinforces Texas’ position as a national leader in aerospace and defense innovation.

• Amazon has confirmed that its $139.5 million investment in Florida, including a 100,000-square-foot payload processing facility at Kennedy Space Center, is central to ramping up the launch cadence for Project Kuiper, its 3,232-satellite broadband constellation. The facility supports integration and fueling of Kuiper satellites for missions aboard rockets from ULA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin, enabling Amazon to process over 100 satellites per month and manage three simultaneous launch campaigns, helping relieve payload processing bottlenecks on the increasingly crowded Space Coast.

Partnerships

• Turkey’s first domestically built communications satellite, TÜRKSAT-6A, has completed its first year in geostationary orbit. Developer ASELSAN is now expanding its space technology collaboration with Azerbaijan, with an intention to co-develop the Azerspace-3 satellite through a technology transfer model that supports Azerbaijani engineers and lays the groundwork for an independent regional space industry.

• HII has been awarded a $74 million, five-year task order to provide modeling and simulation capabilities for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, supporting the AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base. The work includes developing operational simulations for space unit training, machine-to-machine decision support tools, and readiness solutions for improving space asset survivability in contested multi-domain environments.

• The U.S. Space Force has released its first-ever International Partnership Strategy, outlining a long-term vision to strengthen global collaboration and integration with allies to maintain a secure, stable, and sustainable space domain. Emphasizing that “spacepower is the ultimate team sport,” the strategy sets three main goals: empowering allies as combat multipliers, maximizing information sharing, and integrating coalition forces across design, development, and operations.

Applications

• Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered a new state of quantum matter within a custom material called hafnium pentatelluride, achieved under extreme magnetic fields up to 70 Tesla. Notably, this quantum phase is highly radiation-resistant, making it a candidate for space-based electronics capable of withstanding deep space environments.

• NASA successfully launched the TRACERS mission on July 24 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg, deploying two satellites to study magnetic reconnection in Earth’s polar cusps, a process relevant to both aurora formation and geomagnetic storms. The $170M mission will collect over 3,000 data points in a year, advancing our understanding of space weather and its impact on systems like GPS and satellite operations.

• A Vega C rocket is set to launch tonight from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, carrying five satellites focused on Earth and climate monitoring. The mission, VV27, includes MicroCarb, a French-led satellite that will map global carbon dioxide sources and sinks with unprecedented precision. It also carries four CO3D satellites from CNES and Airbus, which will generate high-resolution 3D maps of Earth’s land surfaces using multispectral optical imaging.

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• Iridium Communications has partnered with Syniverse to support the global rollout of its Iridium NTN Direct service, integrating the platform with Syniverse’s mobile network operator infrastructure to enable seamless global connectivity.
• The partnership enables direct-to-device and narrow-band IoT messaging across industries by leveraging Iridium’s LEO satellite constellation and Syniverse’s 3GPP-compliant mobile interoperability systems.
• Iridium NTN Direct, part of 3GPP Release 19, will begin device integration and on-air testing in 2025, with commercial device availability expected in 2026.

PRESS RELEASE –  Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced a new partnership with Syniverse, the world’s most connected company^®, to support the rollout of Iridium NTN Direct^SM service with mobile network operators (MNOs) worldwide. Through this partnership, Iridium NTN Direct is integrating with Syniverse’s global platform, making it easy for MNOs to keep their customers continuously connected everywhere on the planet.

According to GSMA’s 2025 Industry Survey, 85% of MNOs planning to pursue non-terrestrial network (NTN) service are seeking a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) solution that extends their coverage globally. As part of 3GPP Release 19, Iridium NTN Direct will provide truly global, standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) and narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) messaging and SOS for consumer devices, automobiles and industrial applications in agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy and utilities.

The combination of MNO requirements and Iridium NTN Direct capabilities makes it the ideal solution. With Iridium NTN Direct, MNOs will know they have a reliable partner with a fully deployed, owned and operated satellite constellation, unmatched coverage, globally coordinated mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum, and a history of providing reliable safety of life services.

“We’re building the backbone of the global D2D movement, the right way and with the right partners as we prepare for on-air testing with MNOs and chipmakers in the coming months,” said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. “The integration of Syniverse’s system with the Iridium^® network will give MNOs a simple path to expand their footprint to the entire planet.”

“Satellite networks are becoming a natural extension of the mobile ecosystem, and our role at Syniverse is to make that transition seamless,” said Andrew Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Syniverse. “By integrating Iridium NTN Direct into the global mobile framework using standards-based, carrier-grade systems, Syniverse is simplifying deployment, ensuring consistency and security, and accelerating access to non-terrestrial connectivity.”

For more than 35 years, Syniverse’s leadership in mobile interoperability and clearing services has played a key role in enabling MNO adoption for satellite integration, which includes seamless customer roaming, authentication and billing functions. Their system serves approximately 600 carrier customers directly in 170 countries worldwide and connects over 830 mobile operators with their global IPX backbone. Fully 3GPP-compliant and standards-based, Syniverse ensures fast deployment, helping operators confidently unlock new markets.

Iridium NTN Direct stands out among Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) and NB-IoT services by offering MNOs an unmatched combination of truly global coverage, reliability and capability. 3GPP Release 19 is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the first Iridium NTN Direct connected devices are planned to be available in 2026.

• Iridium Communications has announced its plan to acquire Satelles in a $115 million deal.
• The acquisition is projected to result in Iridium’s service earnings surpassing $100 million annually by 2030.
• Image credit: Iridium Communications

Iridium Communications, a key player in satellite operations, announced its plans to acquire Satelles, a leading provider of GPS alternatives, in a deal worth $115 million. Satelles’ technology offers robust signals, surpassing conventional GPS satellites in providing enhanced indoor coverage and fortified security against jamming threats.

The strategic acquisition marks a significant step for Iridium. The company is poised to expand its revenue streams and fortify its standing in the satellite communication arena. By integrating Satelles’ innovative solutions into its portfolio, Iridium aims to diversify its revenue channels and solidify its presence in the global navigation satellite system market.

Forecasts suggest that the addition of Satelles to Iridium’s ecosystem will be instrumental in boosting revenue, with service earnings projected to surpass $100 million annually by 2030. This aligns with Iridium’s overarching objective of achieving $1 billion in annual sales by leveraging strategic acquisitions and amplifying its market reach.

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• Iridium Communications Inc. and the National Geographic Society announced a new philanthropic program in support of National Geographic Explorers.
• The program will illuminate and protect the wonder of our world by enabling Explorers to communicate and transmit data globally.
• The National Geographic Exploration Technology Lab has been granted special Iridium value-added developer status.

PRESS RELEASE — McLean, Virginia / February 7, 2023 / PRNewswire / – Iridium Communications Inc. (Iridium) (Nasdaq: IRDM) and the National Geographic Society today announced a new philanthropic program in support of National Geographic Explorers (Explorers), based on the shared belief that in order to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world, Explorers need the ability to communicate and transmit data globally.

As part of this program, the National Geographic Society Exploration Technology Lab (Exploration Technology Lab) is now a specially recognized, value-added developer of Iridium Connected^® devices.  Focused on deploying breakthrough systems and hardware to accelerate the exploration and understanding of our natural and cultural heritage, the Exploration Technology Lab can now work directly with Iridium to develop solutions supporting personal satellite communications to support Explorer-led work.

Iridium has also provided satellite phones, Iridium GO!^® devices, Iridium Certus^® weather-resilient broadband terminals and associated services for Explorers to use in the field.  This enables Explorers to maintain connectivity throughout their field-based research and storytelling and helps them communicate from any remote location around the world.

“From the depths of the ocean to tropical rainforests, to the Arctic tundra to subterranean caves, National Geographic Explorers are on the frontlines of research and conservation of some of the world’s most precious ecosystems. Cutting edge technology is redefining what is possible in exploration, and we are committed to equipping our scientists, educators and storytellers with tools that will help accelerate their impact. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Iridium to support National Geographic Explorers in illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world,” said Alex Moen, Chief Explorer Engagement Officer, National Geographic Society.

National Geographic Explorers perform critical research and undertake vital conservation projects all over the world.  By working together, Iridium and the National Geographic Society will equip these scientists, storytellers, and adventurers with weather-resilient, custom-designed, or commercially available communications devices to keep them safe, connected, and productive.

“With shared-beliefs and a like-minded vision of how to help protect and tell the story of the wonders of our world, we are proud to support the very important work done by the National Geographic Society and its Explorers,” said Iridium CEO, Matt Desch. “We look forward to seeing the innovative applications of Iridium^® connectivity integrated into the Exploration Technology Lab’s latest creations and supporting their engineers with our own expertise.”

Iridium remains the only satellite network offering truly global, weather-resilient coverage making it possible to stay safe and connected even in challenging terrain or environmental conditions.  The company continues to innovate, making it easier for anyone to communicate beyond terrestrial coverage with lightweight, handheld, and low-powered devices that can fit in your pocket.  This includes satellite messengers, smartphone companion devices, and text messaging and SOS services that will be directly integrated into smartphones.

For more information about Iridium visit: www.iridium.com

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SOURCE: Iridium Communications Inc.

Featured image: Engineers in the National Geographic Society Exploration technology Lab. Credit: National Geographic

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