WHEREAS, Iridium Communications, Inc., owner and operator of the Iridium satellite constellation, which has the ability to transmit voice and data information around the world to satellite phones and other devices, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the commercial launch of the Iridium Network in 2023; and

WHEREAS, the origins of Iridium date to 1987, when Bary Bertiger, Ray Leopold, and Ken Peterson, while working at a Motorola research lab in Arizona, began to develop a satellite-based communication system designed to connect people around the globe; and

WHEREAS, formally established in 1988, Iridium began by utilizing technology abandoned by U.S. President Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, and over the next decade, the company built and launched more than 90 satellites to create the world's first global satellite network and a viable alternative to cellular telephone technology; and

WHEREAS, on November 1, 1998, Iridium launched its commercial Iridium Network and worldwide voice services with a ceremonial first call from U.S. Vice President Al Gore to Gilbert Grosvenor, chairman of the National Geographic Society and descendant of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone; and

WHEREAS, after struggling to compete in the telecommunications market, the Iridium Network was nearly decommissioned in 2000 when a team of investors led by Dan Colussy took over the system and began partnering with the United States Department of Defense and exploring new applications for the technology; and

WHEREAS, through an initiative known as Iridium NEXT and in partnership with SpaceX, Iridium sent 75 next-generation satellites into space between 2017 and 2019 to update its existing constellation of satellites; and

WHEREAS, in early 2019, Iridium introduced its new commercial service, Iridium Certus, to leverage its updated satellite network, providing customers with state-of-the-art satellite communications services; and

WHEREAS, with its visionary leaders and capacity for innovation, Iridium stands poised to continue reaching new heights in worldwide communications over the next 25 years and beyond; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Iridium Communications, Inc., on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the commercial launch of its global satellite network; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Matthew J. Desch, chief executive officer of Iridium Communications, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the company's achievements and best wishes in its future endeavors.