The Latest: Launch of Iridium satellites successful
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on the launch of 10 satellites for Iridium Communications (all times local):
9:25 a.m.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has successfully launched 10 new satellites for Iridium Communications.
The rocket blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 7:23 a.m. Friday and began deploying the satellites about an hour later.
Iridium says all of the satellites were successfully released into low Earth orbit and are communicating with its network operations center.
The McLean, Virginia, company now has 50 next-generation satellites in orbit as it replaces its entire global fleet. Final launches are expected to be completed this year.