[Motorola] Motorola Iridium Satellite Phone

Sun, 06 Oct 2002 10:38:35 -0700

Also, the Iridium data rate was agonizingly slow and voice quality
left a lot to be desired...and forget using it for computer modem
communications.  The U.S. Navy briefly considered using Iridium in
some of its transport aircraft, but abandoned the plan when it
became obvious that Moto was bailing out and letting the satellites
drop out of orbit and burn up.

Dick

[email protected] wrote:
> 
> My Understanding (Via NORAD) is that 80 % of the Irridium system has been
> deactivated, and 10% have already dropped out of orbit. LEO devices cannot be
> sent back into orbit to replace them under new ITU and ISSA guidelines for
> 'space traffic'. This was due in part to Motorola thinking everyone would go
> right out and buy a $3000 'cell' phone. Motorola's Irridium Systems lost
> their shirt and Motorola decided to quit pumping over $2 Million a year into
> the system.
>        For a short period of time, the folks who enjoy gazing at stars were
> blaming the Irridium Satellites on the HAM community, stating this was their
> new OSCAR program. Motorola, not wanting to be sued by them, let this rumor
> continue.
> 73 de John W6HNC
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