ExecutiveBiz ExecutiveBiz covers emerging companies in Washington's government contracting sector. 
Iridium Communications has won a five-year contract to update a gateway for the Defense Department to use with the IridiumNEXT satellite constellation, the company announced Wednesday.
The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, awarded by the Defense Information Systems Agency, is potentially worth $47 million over one base year and four option years.
Iridium has worked with the Defense Department for several years to provide communications services for military installations and personnel stationed worldwide, said Scott Scheimreif, acting executive vice president of Iridium’s government programs.
The company will provide hardware, software and integration services to update the gateway with the goal of making it compatible with the IridiumNEXT satellite constellation.
IridiumNEXT, scheduled for launch in 2015, is comprised of 66 low-Earth orbiting satellites and six in-orbit spares.
Click here to read an interview ExecutiveBiz conducted with CEO Matt Desch in October 2010, where he gives a preview of the IridiumNEXT program.
