Mobell

Iridium Satellite Network

The Iridium system works by the handset sending a signal to one of several satellites, which orbit the Earth. There are 66 Iridium satellites in 6 different polar orbits, and one complete orbit of the Earth takes 100 minutes, since they travel at 16,832 miles per hour.

Each satellite has a link with four others, two of which are in the same orbit and two of which are in adjacent orbits. At any one time there will be a minimum of two satellites in contact with the handset.

The system works by transferring the call to other satellites as the satellite with the initial contact moves out of contact with the handset. The signal is then re-bounced back to one of the base stations on Earth and then transferred to a land-line to its’ final destination.

Iridium hire package