SpaceX just concluded 2017 by launching 10 Iridium NEXT satellites. A footnote on the launch was the “hosted payload” on board each of the satellites: a small box of equipment from Aireon.

Desch noted that Iridium remains the preferred companion service for maritime broadband, supported by its GMDSS-certified terminals. Walter Piecyk, LightShed Ventures: Asked about Aireon’s future.