Status of the IRIDIUM system: moving rapidly towards global wireless service in 1998

The IRIDIUM system is a satellite-based, wireless personal communications network that is designed to permit any type of telephone transmission-voice, data, fax, or paging-to reach its destination anywhere on Earth. Consisting of 66 interconnected satellites orbiting 780 km above the Earth, the IRIDIUM system will facilitate communication for business professionals, travelers, residents of rural or undeveloped areas, disaster relief teams, and others. As the launch date of the first IRIDIUM satellite approaches, the many various elements of the program remain on, or ahead of, schedule to deliver global wireless personal communications in 1998.