Thales to Build 81 Satellites for Iridium

Oct. 26, 2010

Will subcontract 40% of work to North America

French defense and aerospace group Thales said on Oct. 26 that it had finalized a contract worth $2.2 billion to supply 81 telecommunications satellites to U.S. firm Iridium Communication.

Iridium is a provider of mobile satellite voice and data communications services.

The first satellite will be launched in early 2015, under the contract worth the equivalent of 1.6 billion euros.

Subsidiary Thales Alenia Space will subcontract out in North America about 40% of the work involved, a statement said.

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