Introduction of the LEO satellites signaled the increasing use of space to serve markets and individuals. Commercial ventures may now play as significant a role in the development of space as government-sponsored exploration or national security programs. This change, as exemplified by the Iridium system, has fostered innovations in satellite design and manufacture to meet the special demands of a commercial undertaking. The Iridium system s unique ground infrastructure, which includes 12 gateways located in 11 countries around the globe. The entire Iridium system network was integrated in only six months.
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