Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. is a publicly traded American satellite communications company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Its principal operating subsidiary is Iridium Satellite LLC. Iridium operates the Iridium satellite constellation, a system of 80 satellites: 66 are operational satellites and fourteen function as in-orbit spares. Iridium satellites are used for worldwide voice and data communication from handheld satellite phones, satellite messenger communication devices and integrated transceivers. The company is also developing standards-based direct-to-device satellite connectivity for conventional mobile and Internet of things devices. Iridium's satellites also host the space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) receivers operated by Aireon, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Iridium in 2026. The nearly polar orbits and communication between satellites via inter-satellite links provide global service availability.
Basic company information
Each field links to its source. Financial figures retain their reporting periods; background references are identified in the source list.
- Business sectors
- telecommunications industry [1]
- Company / filing name
- Iridium Communications Inc. [2]
- Headquarters location
- McLean [1]
- Founded
- 2001 [1]
- Legal form
- Delaware corporation [1]
- Official website
- www.iridium.com ↗ [1]
- ISIN (reported securities)
- US46269C1027 [1]
- CIK
- 1418819 [2]
- Country in background record
- United States [1]
- Symbols / exchanges
- IRDM (Nasdaq) [2]
Company positioning and business
Iridium Communications Inc. is a publicly traded American satellite communications company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Its principal operating subsidiary is Iridium Satellite LLC. Iridium operates the Iridium satellite constellation, a system of 80 satellites: 66 are operational satellites and fourteen function as in-orbit spares. Iridium satellites are used for worldwide voice and data communication from handheld satellite phones, satellite messenger communication devices and integrated transceivers. The company is also developing standards-based direct-to-device satellite connectivity for conventional mobile and Internet of things devices. Iridium's satellites also host the space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) receivers operated by Aireon, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Iridium in 2026. The nearly polar orbits and communication between satellites via inter-satellite links provide global service availability. [3]
Background text: Wikipedia contributors, Iridium Communications. Selected introductory paragraphs, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Official filing data is cited separately.
Financial year, securities and disclosures
Listed securities: IRDM (Nasdaq). Multiple symbols may represent different share classes or securities of the same registrant. [2]
History and key events
Founding / inception date recorded in Wikidata. [1]
Financial results and regulatory disclosures
No individual financial documents have been indexed yet. Open the source to consult company disclosures. [2]
Related entities and concepts
Frequently asked questions
When was Iridium Communications Inc. founded?
Founded: 2001. The linked source provides the background record. [1]
Where is the headquarters of Iridium Communications Inc.?
Headquarters location: McLean. The linked source provides the background record. [1]
Which business sectors are recorded for Iridium Communications Inc.?
Business sectors: telecommunications industry. The linked source provides the background record. [1]
Sources and review dates
- Wikidata — company background record (CC0) ↗
- Company identity and profile data ↗
- Wikipedia contributors — Iridium Communications (CC BY-SA 4.0) ↗
Reviewed 23 October 2026. Financial periods and historical event dates are shown separately. Figures reflect their stated source dates; this page is not a live quote or investment recommendation.