“We are excited to be Iridium’s lead supplier in the design and build-out of the Iridium NEXT constellation,” said Reynald Seznec, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “With our satellite design, Iridium will have a flexible platform for the delivery of existing and new services. As the prime contractor for Iridium NEXT, Thales Alenia Space is the undisputed leader in the design and manufacture of commercial low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellite communications systems. We will be supported by a broad consortium of world-class technical partners with extensive expertise in supporting critical missions of this scale and nature, and we expect 40 percent of the work for Iridium NEXT to be subcontracted to North America companies.” ... read full story