All articles tagged with #iridium
Geologists in North Carolina have discovered evidence of a late Eocene extraterrestrial impact and subsequent tsunami, including impact debris, iridium spikes, and tsunami deposits, linked to the nearby Chesapeake Bay impact structure, providing new insights into regional impact history and sea level changes.
Qualcomm and Iridium have announced the end of their partnership for Snapdragon Satellite, a technology aimed at providing emergency satellite connectivity for Android phones. Despite successful development and demonstration, no Android manufacturers signed on to include the technology in their devices. This decision was influenced by a preference for standards-based solutions. However, Samsung recently hinted that its 2024 Galaxy phones may offer satellite connectivity, while Huawei already offers satellite calls on its Mate 60 line. Iridium remains optimistic about the future of satellite connectivity in consumer devices, emphasizing its global coverage and reliability.
Qualcomm is ending its partnership with Iridium to provide technology for connecting Android smartphones directly to Iridium's satellites. Despite successfully developing a chip for satellite connectivity, no smartphone makers have included Qualcomm's technology in their devices. The termination of the agreement is likely due to concerns over pricing and a preference for a standards-based approach. Iridium remains open to working with Qualcomm on a standards-based solution and plans to re-engage with smartphone makers directly. The cancellation does not affect Iridium's financial guidance, and the company expects to generate $1 billion in annual service revenue by 2030.
Qualcomm has scrapped its plans to offer a satellite SOS feature for Android phones, called Snapdragon Satellite, which would have rivalled Apple's Emergency SOS feature. The partnership with satellite communications company Iridium was terminated due to a lack of interest from smartphone makers. Qualcomm will continue working with Iridium on standards-based solutions for satellite connectivity. The lack of interest may be attributed to potential payment issues and smartphone makers' preference for controlling the relationship with satellite companies. Apple's satellite connectivity service is currently being offered for free, and it remains to be seen if users will be willing to pay for it. Iridium is hopeful that phone makers will eventually show interest in the feature.
Qualcomm and Iridium's partnership to bring satellite connectivity to Android phones has been canceled, with Qualcomm terminating the agreements. The Snapdragon Satellite platform, which aimed to enable satellite-based SMS and emergency messaging on high-end smartphones, apparently faced technical issues and failed to attract interest from smartphone manufacturers. This setback comes as Apple has successfully implemented satellite-based emergency messaging on its latest iPhones. However, Iridium remains optimistic about the potential for satellite connectivity in the phone market and plans to re-engage with smartphone OEMs and chipmakers. Other companies, such as SpaceX and AT&T, are also exploring satellite connectivity options, while Samsung plans to introduce it in its Galaxy S24 phones next year.
SpaceX has scrubbed the launch attempt of a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, which was carrying 16 satellites for OneWeb's internet network and five satellites for Iridium's voice and data relay constellation. No new launch date has been announced yet.
SpaceX aborted the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying satellites for OneWeb and Iridium just under a minute before liftoff. The next launch attempt could occur on Saturday, May 20. The rocket is carrying 21 satellites for the companies Iridium and OneWeb and is scheduled to lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
SpaceX is set to launch low Earth orbit communications satellites for three different networks, Starlink v2, Iridium, and OneWeb, on the same day, with both launches scheduled to occur just over eight hours apart. The Starlink launch will break the pad’s turnaround time record between launches, while the Iridium/OneWeb launch will carry five Iridium NEXT and 16 OneWeb satellites on board. SpaceX aims to fly up to 100 orbital missions this year.
SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Friday morning, carrying Iridium and OneWeb communications satellites. The rocket's first stage booster will be landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. Iridium has created a song playlist to go along with the launch, available on Spotify, which is designed to sync up with SpaceX's live broadcast of the launch.