Iridium Phone Project Gets Off the Ground Today

A rocket was expected to be launched today from Vandenberg Air Force Base to carry into orbit the first three of 66 satellites that will be part of a nearly $5-billion global mobile phone service led by Motorola Inc. The company seeks to allow consumers to dial anywhere in the world as easily as calling on a cellular network. The Motorola-led consortium, called Iridium, hopes to begin service by the end of 1998. Iridium’s is one of several planned commercial satellite programs.