Iridium has announced the commercial launch of its Iridium Certus L-band satcom service following the successful completion of the final launch in its $3 billion Iridium NEXT constellation refresh programme, which has seen 75 satellites launched in just under two years.

Iridium has completed the final launch in its NEXT programme, with all 75 planned satellites now deployed for its second generation L-band low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network following a successful launch of the final 10 satellites in the series on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California.

NSSLGlobal has completed the acquisition of the assets and activities of Station 711, a business unit controlled by SES subsidiary MX1 focussed on communication systems for the maritime market.

Iridium reports that it has signed a Letter of Intent with Rolls-Royce Marine (RRM), currently in the process of being acquired by Kongsberg, to support RRM’s autonomous vessel development programme by integrating L-band satellite services on Iridium’s forthcoming Certus network into the RRM range of Ship Intelligence systems.

Iridium has completed the seventh successful launch in its Iridium NEXT satellite programme, with only one further launch remaining to complete the full constellation.

Inmarsat has rebuffed a takeover offer from US-based satellite operator EchoStar, valuing the London-based business at £3.2 billion.

Thuraya is set to introduce a new Ku-band VSAT product, supplemented with Thuraya L-band services, that will launch in September with IEC Telecom as its first distributor.

Seven additional service providers have signed agreements to provide the Iridium Certus service to the maritime sector, broadening the base of distribution for Iridium’s next-generation L-band service.

Otesat-Maritel has introduced a new cyber security system to act alongside its range of maritime connectivity systems, named IRIS.

Iridium has confirmed that SpaceX has successfully completed its latest launch of five Iridium NEXT satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, bringing the total number of NEXT satellites in orbit to 55.