Updated: 2:30 pm ET February 18, 2009
The Boeing Company successfully launched a Delta II launch vehicle on 06 November 1998 at 13:37:52 UTC. The Delta II, launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, carried five IRIDIUM satellites to low earth orbit. The completed IRIDIUM system will consist of 66 spacecraft plus six on-orbit spares and will be a satellite-based, global wireless communications network. Reportedly, 77 operational satellites are on orbit.
2:30 pm ET February 18, 2009