Iridium / connectivity constellation

The Iridium satellite constellation provides L-band voice and data coverage to satellite phones, satellite messenger devices, and integrated transceivers. Iridium Communications owns and operates the constellation, which consists of 66 active satellites in orbit required for global coverage, plus additional spare satellites. The satellites fly in low Earth orbit at approximately 781 km altitude and 86.4° inclination, communicating with each other via Ka-band inter-satellite links to provide coverage including polar regions, oceans, and airways.

(source, as of 2026-07-08)