A total of 41 of the planned 66 Iridium satellites are now in orbit, although two of the 41 are not functioning. An Atlas 2AS booster launched a communications satellite Monday, December 8, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch was delayed 15 minutes because of aircraft in the air near the launch area. PanAmSat will use the satellite for direct television broadcasts to Latin America. The mission is designed to test automated docking techniques.
Engineers also plan to test a robotic arm on one of the satellites.