Thales Alenia Space awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) to oversee payload application software for the Iridium NEXT satellites.
Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for Iridium NEXT, the next-generation satellite constellation being designed, built and launched for Iridium (NASDAQ: IRDM).
Iridium NEXT, the replacement for the firm’s existing satellite constellation is anticipating a 2015 launch.
“Thales Alenia continues to construct the most impressive technology team possible as it builds out Iridium NEXT, ” Iridium CEO Matt Desch said. “Lockheed Martin is a long-time Iridium partner, and we are confident that its payload application software will be a key enabler as we extend our unique connectivity applications, services and devices to a broader user base on Earth and in space through Iridium NEXT.”
