Dr. Om P. Gupta

Iridium Satellite LLC

20th August 2008

1

Iridium NEXT Partnership for Earth Observation

Exploiting Global LEO Constellation for New Remote Sensing

Capabilities

22Iridium Background

June 1990 Iridium project announced. Plans call for 77 LEO satellites for an estimated project cost of $3.4 billion

May 1997 The first 5 of 66 Iridium satellites were successfully launched

November 1998

Initial service launched

August 1999

Iridium LLC filed for bankruptcy

December 2000

Iridium Satellite LLC was formed following the acquisition of the operating assets of Iridium LLC Purchased Iridium LLC’s satellite constellation, terrestrial network, real property and intellectual property

March 2001 Commercial service re-introduced with dramatically reduced cost structure

February / June 2002

After emerging from bankruptcy, Iridium Satellite LLC launched 5 spare satellites in February 2002 and 2 additional spare satellites in June 2002

June 2008 Iridium Satellite LLC served almost 240k Commercial subscribers up from zero in 2000 and over 30k U.S. DoD subscribers

Headquarters - Bethesda, MD Commercial Operations

Single Commercial Gateway in Tempe, AZ Connects All Commercial Traffic With the

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

Operated by Iridium Personnel

DoD Gateway in Hawaii Performs Similar Function for USG Users

Satellite Network Operations Center (SNOC) Main Facility in Leesburg, VA Technical Support Center (TSC) in

Chandler, AZ Back-up Operations Center (BOC) Facility

in Chandler, AZ TTAC Sites

Yellowknife, Canada, Iqaluit, CanadaChandler, Arizona, Fairbanks, AlaskaSvalbard, Norway

Gateway – Tempe AZ

Headquarters- Bethesda, MD

Corporate History

3Iridium - Fastest Growing MSS provider

Fastest growing Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) player in a growing market– MSS market growing at 14% annually

Strong and consistent financial performance – Revenue and EBITDA growth through innovation and execution

FY 2007 revenue - $260 M versus $212 M in 2006, a 23 % increase FY 2007 EBITDA - $73.6 versus $53.8 M in 2006, a 37 % increase First half of 2008 has seen continued growth and acceleration of

business– 280,000 subscribers at the end of Q2, 08

• 38% higher than Q2, 07

Source: Euroconsult 2007 Revenue estimate

Total MSS Market Share 2007

Inmarsat49%

Iridium23%

Thuraya13%

Globalstar9%

Orbcomm3%

MSV3%

Total 2007 Revenues:

$1.1 billion

4Global Network Providing Unique Capabilities

World’s largest and most sophisticated commercial network of 66 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) polar orbiting satellites with inter-satellite links – Low time latency worldwide

– High availability and built-in redundancy

–  Cross linked network in space Global ubiquitous coverage – pole to pole, all oceans & land

masses any terrain including polar routes

5Iridium NEXT – Our Second Generation

Iridium has begun plans to replace current constellation

Launches to begin around 2013

Maintain unique attributes – 66 satellite LEO architecture, inter-satellite links, global coverage, security, availability

Backward compatible for existing customers

Leveraging improved data speeds, subscriber technology, core technology improvements in batteries, processors, solar cells to provide a design to cost solution with enhanced services

Platform for globally interconnected secondary payloads

NEXT offers new high performance global services;Exciting new communications platform for space

applications

NEXT offers new high performance global services;Exciting new communications platform for space

applications

New Enhanced Services Flexible allocation of bandwidth Voice 4.8 Kbps Data services (9.6 Kbps to 1

Mbps) Broadcast and Netted services Transportable Ka Band; up to 10

Mbps service Private Network Gateways

6New Opportunity for Earth Observations

Unique opportunity to host 66 Earth observation payloads on Iridium constellation in a manner that can revolutionize earth observation- Unprecedented spatial and temporal coverage using a constellation approach

- Real-time data for now-casting and disaster early warning

Initial analysis by JPL, ESA and others has shown that a significant number of priority climate missions for monitoring global climate and environmental change can be flown on the Iridium NEXT constellation

Opportunity to carry sensor missions that may provide data for 10- 15 years

– NEXT Launches begin in 2013 with operational life beyond 2030 including spare launches

Public-Private Partnership - sharing of infrastructure with commercial systems offers potential to augment the current and planned GEOSS programs in a cost effective way- Majority of infrastructure satellites and launch funded by commercial venture

- Majority of on-going operations funded by commercial business

- Share real-time communications backbone ground segment

- Cost effective - < 20% the cost of dedicated science missions

Earth Observation community can get unprecedented data capability without a traditional space segment procurementEarth Observation community can get unprecedented data

capability without a traditional space segment procurement

7 NEXT Constellation General Information

Autonomous initialization / earth capture / deployment sequence

SV capable of 48 hour unattended operation

System Specifications

Constellation : 66 Satellites in 6 planes of 11

Orbit: Polar at 780 km

Inclination: 86.4o

Pointing / knowledge: 0.10o accuracy (Design goal)

Period: 100.5 minutes per orbit

Launch: 2013 – 2016

Satellite Design Life: 10 years (Design goal)

Mission Life: 15 years to beyond 2030

Risk Mitigation: 6 in-orbit spares, additional ground spares

8NEXT Secondary Payload Parameters

Preliminary Secondary Payload Sensors Specifications

Missions: Single or multiple mixed missions

Payload Weight: 50 kg

Payload Dimension: 30 x 40 x 70 cm

Payload Power: 50 W average (200 W peak)

Payload Data Rate: <1 Mbps

Two way data communications through constellation to sensor for command and control and telemetry purposes

Iridium will manage SV slot location and position planning to support secondary mission as best as possible

Detailed secondary payload interface and concept of operations to be developed in 2008 with the input of the secondary payload partners

9Revolution in EO Operations

Other satellites to use NEXT communications backbone

66 Satellites

A unique opportunity for: 66 (+ 6 in-orbit + 6 hanger spares) EO payloads (Current EO total = 138)

15 year mission life (v. 5 years or less for many missions)

Cost effective (Iridium needs to pay for satellites & launch anyway)

Unprecedented spatial and temporal coverage (Now-casting)

Synoptic ground-truth & observation (Surface TX/RX to observing sat.)

101010NEXT Earth Observation Missions

Early analysis by JPL, GEO and ESA recommended several missions be assessed

– JPL analysis assessed fit with NRC Decadal Survey recommendations

Sensor selection fully exploits a constellation approach to Earth Observation

Sensor selection maximizes capability with synergistic set of sensors

Sensor sets do not duplicate existing or planned missions, but augmented data sets obtained from those missions

GEO working groups have been formed: CNES, and South Africa DST are evaluating options in more detail

Sensor Quantity

Measured Parameters

Altimeter 24 Wave height & wind speed; mean sea level; ice height

GPS Occultation

12-66 Atmospheric water vapor content & temperature profile

Optical Imager

6 Ocean color & land imaging

Radiometer 24 Earth radiation budget (energy source for climate)

Combinations of Multiple Secondary Payloads

Flying GPSRO (24 off) allows for a second payload to be carried in addition to GPSRO:

– Cloud Wind Vector Monitor – 12 to 24 off ( e.g. Boreas for Polar wind monitoring)

– Atmospheric Chemistry (limb or nadir) – 6 off

– Gamma radiation from space (zenith) – 6 off

– Land imagers (set up specifically) – 6 off

Space Weather Predictions - GPSRO in combination with Plasma Drift Meters enables coronal mass ejection imagery

11

12NEXT Earth Observation Ground Segment The mesh architecture of Iridium network enables near-real time collection and

transmission of this data to the NEXT Earth Observation Ground segment Iridium ground segment consists of satellite operations sites, gateways for

business operations, TT&C sites, and a network of remote earth station terminals

Data will be collected at the Iridium gateways and transmitted in to agency servers for further processing and dissemination– A dedicated NEXT EO server can be hosted at the Iridium gateway

Agencies will also be able to send a minimum set of commands using the feeder links

Iridium Satellite Network

End UsersEO DataCollection

Iridium Gateway

Switch

• IP Socket• Data circuit

Ground Segment Infrastructure

Data processing, management and distribution

Iridium EO Data Interface

EO Ground SegmentIridium NEXT Infrastructure

Iridium NEXT ground infrastructure to collect data from the constellation

Secure, real-time data routing to processing infrastructure

LEVEL 0 LEVEL1 LEVEL 2 &3

13

Annual Sensor Mission Cost

$0$1$2$3$4$5$6$7$8$9

$10$11$12$13$14$15$16$17$18$19$20$21$22$23$24

Millio

ns

Average Avg Iridium NEXT50 Kg Payload

AtmosphericChemistry

GPSOccultation

Multi-spectralImager

RadarAltimeter

Radiometer

Costs - Perspective v Other Missions

Study performed by Futron Corporation looking at economics of heritage mission compared to a hosted payload approach

Evaluated 13 missions, publicly available costs of build, deployment, operations Compared mission cost per sensor per year

5-20% cost of conventional missions5-20% cost of conventional missions

Conventional Cost

NEXT Shared Cost

14Costs - Iridium and Hosting Public Private Partnership

Guests benefits from Iridium’s $6.1B total investment in communications system

– NEXT constellation capital 2008-1016 ($2.7B)

– Operating expense between 2014-2030 ($2.4B)

– Sustaining capital and spares 2010-2030 ($1.0B)

Iridium benefits by gaining customer that offsets infrastructure and operating cost

NEXT system design, build and launchSensor integration support

Satellite operationsGround segment and communications

Sensor selectionSensors build and integrationData processing, calibration

Data dissemination

Iridium Guests

Iridium makes majority of infrastructure investment;Guest offsets this with a “data buy”;

Enables comprehensive data set through 2030 and beyond

Iridium makes majority of infrastructure investment;Guest offsets this with a “data buy”;

Enables comprehensive data set through 2030 and beyond

NEXT Communications Infrastructure

Secondary Payload Hosting

Cost

Sensors

Integration

& test

Secondary Payload

Operations Cost

Payload dependent

$0.5M - $1M per year

$6.1B Payload dependent

1515PPP Management Approach

Under the Public Private Partnership, the mission responsibilities can be allocated between customer, the science community, and Iridium as described below

Iridium is open to other approaches also

15

Responsibility Party VehicleMission design and planning. Instrument design, procurement, build, and integration into satellite

Customer Contract to sensor manufacturer, program management; integration to prime/Iridium

Design, procurement, build, launch and operations of the Iridium satellite constellation and ground segment

Iridium Contract from Iridium to satellite prime

Instrument hosting and purchase of data Customer Contract to Iridium as pre-buy of data services

Satellite operations, maintenance and data delivery to data management interface

Iridium Contract to Iridium for operations support

Data calibration, processing and distribution to the appropriate users

Data users Contract to data processing party

16MISSION CONCENSUS & ACTIVITY

10/09/06 Trident suggests EO to Iridium. Trident review to Iridium in 03/07 suggests 6 payloads with HERITAGE INSTRUMENTATION OF PRIME IMPORTANCE

01/2007 GEO involvement - top down politics e.g. 11/2007 GEO IV Ministerial Summit in Cape Town

20/06/07 ESA : “ System Aspects of EO Payloads on the Iridium Constellation”

Based on the Position Papers (all published in 2006)

09/09/07 JPL/NASA : Review agrees with ESA

06/06/08 CNES: Support in Space News in June.

2007/08 NOAA: Strong support with internal working groups and through Offices of Commerce, Science & Technology Policy, Management and Budget.05/08/08 NOAA RFQ issued (next slide)

2007 EUMETSAT carried out a internal review

22/01/08 Bottom up: e.g. Royal Society meeting in January 2008 discussed the science of the proposed missions (proceedings on www.iridium.com)

05/2008 GEO in Geneva: USA, Norway, Spain, Canada, France, South Africa, Sweden metCalled for Climate Change Mission Review to report:

13/10/08 Altimetry Mission (CNES) ERB (Imperial College, RAL)Ocean Colour (ACRI) GPSRO (JPL)

16161616

1717Program Milestones

The milestones below identify the key decision points for integrating secondary payloads into the NEXT constellation

Iridium recommends that earth observation customers create a program plan with Iridium that focuses efforts on near term activities:– To define mission priorities, details, funding and acquisition model

– Protect the option of flying secondary payloads on NEXT

– Ensure that overall secondary payload program synchs with NEXT procurement time line

17

Milestone Period

Feasibility study for mission definition, cost modeling, sensor selection, acquisition strategy and planning

Q3 2008

Commitment to initiate program Dec 2008Iridium finalize specification and contract for satellite constellation

Q1 2009

Initiate procurement (instrument, hosting) Mar 2009

Sensor integration Jan 2012

First satellite launch, data flow begins 2013

Full mission operations 2016-2030

18EO SENSOR DEVELOPMENTS

Iridium already has reduced short list of NEXT Primes to two Thales-Alenia & Lockheed-Martin. Briefed on secondary payload.

Summary of technical challenges from ESA and JPL

Altimeter: Moderate development of Ku sensor from Thales-Alenia

Radiometer: Minor adaptations; GERB type sensor from RAL; CERES from UCAR

Imager: Moderate developments: Likely to be a version of MERIS from Thales and DST in South

AfricaOccultation: Minor adaptations; ROSA from Thales-Alenia

GPSRO from SAAB Space; Blackjack from Broadreach

All satellites will have the capability of carrying RO.

Under Assessment :Threshold; Breakthrough; Objective observations

Accuracy; Spatial & Temporal resolution; Data Delay

GPS Radio Occultation

Description: GPS receivers; Limb antennasNumber: Min 12 sensors, 2 in each planeSwath: Limb viewing; 800 soundings each per day

Time scales:<<1 hr Tracking extreme weather events

1 hr Weather now-casting1 week Weather forecasting1 year Seasonal variations10 year Climate variability; hydrologic cycle

Sounding of atmospheric humidity & temperature;

Electron content of ionosphere & density profiles

19

2020Earth Radiation Budget

Measuring the Earth’s radiation budget

Description: Broadband radiometer; 0.2 to 50 umNumber: Up to 18 sensors, 3 in each planeSwath:~2000 km

Time scales:<1 hr Data into weather forecasts1 hr Monitoring of heat waves1 day Day-night variation in radiative fluxes1 week Improved forecasting1 year Seasonal variations in ice and cloud albedo10 year Inter-annual variations>10 year Key parameter to monitor and predict global climate change

2121Radio Altimeters

Monitoring sea-surface height, wave height,

wind speed; ice height

Description: Radar altimeter; Ka (or Ku) bandNumber: Up to 24 sensors, 4 in each planeSwath:5-10 km, nadir pointing

Time scales:<<1 hr Tsunami early warning; flood & wave now-casting1 hr Sea surface & significant wave height, wind speed; storm surges1 day Tides, currents and eddies1 month Lunar cycles; El Niño events; hydrology1 year Ocean circulation patterns10 year Inter-annual variations and changes>10 year Prediction of sea level rise & changes in circulation

Ocean Imagers

Description: Spectral range dedicated or multi-spectral; UV-VIS-IRNumber: Minimum of 12 sensors, 2 in each planeSwath: 80 to 240 km; 30 to 100m resolution

Time scales:Ocean color (OC):1 day Coastal diurnal variation; marine operations & fisheries1 year Seasonal changes (N & S hemisphere)Terrestrial:1 day Disaster remediation; wildfires1 year Deforestation; desertification; cropsIce:1 day Ice extent1 year Seasonal and inter-annual changes in fields

For ocean color and ice extent

22

Ocean Imagers

Description: Spectral range dedicated or multi-spectral; UV-VIS-IRNumber: Minimum of 12 sensors, 2 in each planeSwath: 80 to 240 km; 30 to 100m resolution

Time scales:Ocean color (OC):1 day Coastal diurnal variation; marine operations & fisheries1 year Seasonal changes (N & S hemisphere)Terrestrial:1 day Disaster remediation; wildfires1 year Deforestation; desertification; cropsIce:1 day Ice extent1 year Seasonal and inter-annual changes in fields

For ocean color and ice extent

23

Multiple Mission Sensors 24

What will this do for you?

2626Summary

A unique opportunity has been identified to host up to 66 climate instruments on the Iridium NEXT LEO constellation

Launches start in 2013 and the constellation operational life will extend beyond 2030

The opportunity is proposed as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) allowing for the sharing of infrastructure with commercial communications satellites in a cost effective way

Several pricing and acquisition models developed that can significantly reduce the total life cycle costs for hosting a climate sensor

Iridium recommends immediate interaction with potential customers. Please contact us. Contact information is included on the next slide

26

Iridium is committed to work expeditiously with potential secondary payload customers to make this once in a lifetime opportunity a reality!

Iridium is committed to work expeditiously with potential secondary payload customers to make this once in a lifetime opportunity a reality!

Contact Information

Dr. Om P GuptaDirector, Strategic Market Development

Iridium NEXTIridium Satellite LLC

6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 300Bethesda, MD 20817, USA

T: +1 301-571-6229F: +1 301-571-6250M:+1 443-812-9724

Email: Om.Gupta@Iridium.comWeb: www.Iridium.com

27