5 Iridium Satellites Launched
The first five satellites of Iridium, the Motorola-led global mobile personal communications system (GMPCS), were successfully launched on a McDonnell Douglas Delta II rocket on May 5 from the Vanderburg Air Force base in California, US.
Iridium is a 66-satellite project which aims to offer global wireless voice, facsimile, paging and data services world-wide by late 1988.
Iridium India Telecom Ltd chairman Moosa Raza said, The first launch of Iridium satellites signifies a major step for the subcontinent to be integrated into the worlds first GMPCS. Iridium India will be the service provider and gateway operator for most countries in the Indian subcontinent.
Iridium India, is a joint venture between a consortium of Indian financial institutions, VSNL and Motorola. The Indian company has invested $70 million (Rs 252 crore) in Iridium LLC, the operating company of the project.