Iridium Satellite LLC announced that it predicts its constellation of satellites will retain mission functionality into the next decade, based on internal analyses of satellite and operational data, as well as an external study by an independent company. Iridium contracted with The Aerospace Corporation of El Segundo, Calif., to conduct the study, based on several years of actual on-orbit reliability data provided by Iridium. Incorporating assumptions of planned future software and operational improvements, the analysis indicated that the Iridium constellation would likely remain viable into the next decade. "Based on our observations and The Aerospace Corporation's analysis, we are confident that the Iridium satellite constellation will deliver services to customers through mid-2010.