Servicing Iridium's Satellite Constellation: Business Case (Part 3)

In my last post, I described Part 1 of a business case for a tug service for LEO satellites.  In my post I described how Jon Goff and I had come to the conclusion that Iridium may make a powerful first customer for such a tug service. 

Jon Goff now has Part 2 of this Iridium Tug business case posted on his blog, Selenian Boondocks. 

Jon not only provides additional arguments for the value of Iridium as a first customer, but delivers a compelling argument for why an entrepreneur may want to consider pursuing such a service, and why Iridium might want to listen if they do. 

Additionally, call it perfect timing (too arrogant to call it a response to our post?), this spacenews article came out yesterday describing Iridium's belief their fleets CAN make it to 2017 (3X) design life.  A few interesting nuggets from the report (and my commentary):

• Fleet deemed “viable” with only 36 satellites (but Iridium did not describe what viable means).  Viable must mean less than optimal or they would have only launched 36 sats to begin with.  If fleet is productive with only 36 satellites, there may be even more value in selling the current fleet upon successful transition to NEXT.  This give Iridium a more "robust" constellation to offer to a buyer.
• Iridium says, "Now, once every couple of weeks we do a maneuver” to avoid orbital debris.  How much debris mitigation maneuvers was factored when calculating the hydrazine needed to make it to 2017?  How much is life shortened if maneuvers increase?
• Fleet can survive on current fuel until 2017 (and if there are launch delays beyond 2017?)
• 114kg of hydrazine on board each satellite (back in 1997 when they were first launched)

Good luck Iridium.  If you want a heck of a backup plan, read Jon's post on Part 2 of the Iridium Business Case.  Thanks Jon for your work on this.