8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 9, 2013

Iridium Communications Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-33963	26-1344998
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

1750 Tysons Boulevard

Suite 1400

McLean, VA 22102

(Address of principal executive offices)

703-287-7400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On September 9, 2013, Iridium Communications Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release regarding its new Iridium PRIME^SM hosted payload initiative. The text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

In addition, on September 9, 2013, executive officers of the Company will make a presentation to the media and industry analysts at World Satellite Business Week regarding Iridium PRIME. A copy of the slides to be used during the presentation is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The presentation will also be made available on the Company’s corporate website.

The information contained herein, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information and Exhibits be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release dated September 9, 2013
99.2	Presentation of Iridium Communications Inc. dated September 9, 2013

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Date: September 9, 2013	By:	/s/ Thomas D. Hickey
		Name:     Thomas D. Hickey
		Title:       Chief Legal Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Press Contact:

Diane Hockenberry

Iridium Communications Inc.

+1 (703) 287-7421

Diane.hockenberry@iridium.com

Iridium Revolutionizes Delivery of Space-based Services with First Turnkey Hosted Payload Program, Iridium PRIME^SM

Leverages Iridium NEXT, world’s largest commercial satellite constellation, to transform space access while reducing costs by 50% or more

MCLEAN, Va. – September 9, 2013 – Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) announces the first turnkey hosted payload solution, Iridium PRIME^SM, to host third-party payloads on stand-alone satellites leveraging the global connectivity afforded by the Iridium NEXT satellite network. The Iridium PRIME program revolutionizes the hosted payload business model with an integrated service which reduces the complexity, delays and costs typically associated with building, launching and operating a satellite mission. (A full presentation with more detail on Iridium PRIME is located at www.iridium.com/iridiumPRIME.)

With a growing demand for additional hosted payload opportunities, a proven track record as a leader in the industry and the opportunity to leverage the investment and learning costs from Iridium NEXT, Iridium is uniquely positioned to offer commercial and government payload customers a turnkey solution for all elements of a successful hosted payload mission including launch, ground infrastructure, two-way payload control, high-speed inter-satellite links and global coverage. Iridium PRIME offsets the traditional challenges of hosted payload missions which include inflexible launch schedules, ‘one-off’ mission control systems and ground connectivity challenges by providing customers access to a proven end-to-end satellite constellation with complete flexibility on the number of payloads they deploy, number of planes they occupy, and independent mission control with a cost savings of 50 percent or more compared to current stand-alone solutions.

While the Iridium NEXT hosted payload space is now fully allocated to two entities, Aireon LLC for its space-based aircraft surveillance application and Harris Corporation for additional auxiliary payloads, Iridium PRIME offers customers a new approach. Customers can use a whole satellite’s payload capacity, or just share that capacity with other applications and customers that Iridium brings together. Potential missions include earth observation, terrethomstrial and space-based weather monitoring, communications support including advanced broadband services, Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking and other government missions. Iridium PRIME provides flexible scheduling to launch whenever payloads are ready, starting as early as fourth quarter 2017, allowing customers longer lead times for budgeting their hosted payload missions.

“We’re very proud to announce Iridium PRIME with the support of our partner Thales Alenia Space as this program represents a ground-breaking opportunity in commercial satellite services,” stated Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium Communications Inc. “We led the commercialization of the hosted payload concept and initiated the founding of the Hosted Payload Alliance, and have since explored more than 30 potential payload concepts. With Iridium PRIME, we are using our expertise to leverage our $3 billion investment in the Iridium NEXT constellation to create new business opportunities at a fraction of the cost and complexity of traditional stand-alone missions, opening space-based solutions to an array of new customers. As a result, we anticipate significant hosting and data services revenue for Iridium over the next 15 to 20 years.”

Iridium will orchestrate payload arrangements from launch to operations providing in effect a payload “concierge service” to best-in-class payload technology providers and their customers to create a wide array of commercial and governmental missions. Iridium will build, launch and fly up to 66 additional Iridium PRIME hosted payload satellites utilizing the Iridium constellation infrastructure and operations. Iridium PRIME satellites can utilize Iridium’s inter-satellite links and global ground systems to provide two-way control and data delivery from diverse hosted payloads. The Iridium PRIME bus will be derived from the Iridium NEXT satellite design,

removing L-Band communications equipment unnecessary for this use, and dramatically expanding the volume, weight, power and data capacity of the satellite vehicle to support a wider variety of payloads for potential customers.

Iridium is also announcing today the appointment of Col. David A. Anhalt (USAF Ret.) as vice president and general manager of Iridium PRIME. Mr. Anhalt is a recognized leader in the hosted payload industry. Prior to his position at Iridium, he was the initial vice chairman of the Hosted Payload Alliance and is its current secretary. Following a distinguished career in the US Air Force, he held several senior management roles at Orbital Sciences and Space Systems/Loral including the conception and architecture of the Commercial Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP). He will be involved in business development for Iridium PRIME focusing on customer acquisition and technology partnerships.

Thales Alenia Space (www.thalesaleniaspace.com) is leading the design and construction of the satellites for the Iridium NEXT constellation and will partner with Iridium to provide and produce a new satellite bus for Iridium PRIME, maintaining the inter-satellite crosslink functionality and the ability to fly within the NEXT constellation. Additionally the companies will work together to develop a Hosted Payload Controller for the Iridium PRIME bus to ensure independence and diversity of missions on PRIME satellites. Customers with compatible missions will be able to share the platform-minimizing costs and leverage the company’s investment in Iridium NEXT.

“Thales Alenia Space is proud to support the design and development of the largest commercial satellite constellation as the primary contractor for Iridium NEXT,” stated Jean-Loïc Galle, CEO, Thales Alenia Space. “On schedule and on budget, our track record of performance with Iridium proves our combined ability to leverage our existing work with Iridium NEXT to serve as the platform for launching additional Iridium PRIME satellites. We anticipate getting a lot of positive feedback from customers exploring the opportunity to use the network’s advanced capabilities at much lower costs than other solutions.”

Harris Corporation (www.harris.com) is the payload manufacturer for Aireon^SM, a joint venture service between Iridium Communications Inc. and NAV CANADA. Aireon takes advantage of

the Iridium NEXT hosted payload space to develop the world’s first space-based global aviation monitoring system. Enabled by Harris’ 81 space-qualified ADS-B receivers, the largest hosted payload deal ever, Aireon will provide the first global monitoring of aircraft which will provide more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and safer air travel. Aireon is estimated to enable billions of dollars in fuel savings to airlines and represents a potential $500 million business opportunity to Iridium through a completely new approach to air traffic management. In addition, Harris continues work with other customers to leverage the remaining hosted payload space on Iridium NEXT.

“Through our strategic relationship, Harris and Iridium are revolutionizing the space industry with flexible and cost-effective solutions,” said Bill Gattle, Harris Corp. vice president and general manager, National Programs, Harris Government Communications Systems. “Customers have expressed a strong desire for resilient and affordable mission solutions. We view Iridium PRIME as transformational for our government and commercial customers and are excited to join Iridium in this market-changing offering.”

For more information on Iridium PRIME, go to www.iridium.com/iridiumPRIME.

On Monday, September 9, Iridium, along with executives from Thales Alenia Space and Harris Corporation, will host a teleconference to introduce Iridium PRIME. The teleconference will be held from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. CET, and may be accessed online here. Participants may also join by calling the U.S. toll free line at (+1) 866-907-5923, via France at +33 (0)170770937, or via the UK at +44 2033679455.

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium^® is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ever-expanding ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in

McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements in this presentation include statements regarding the development of and transition to the Iridium NEXT constellation; features of the Iridium NEXT system; expected Iridium NEXT project costs and deployment schedule; the capabilities and benefits of the Aireon system; the expected potential value of Aireon and auxiliary hosted payloads to Iridium; the development of Iridium PRIME satellites; and demand for hosted payloads. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “believes,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “likely,” “will,” “to be” and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding overall Iridium NEXT development and costs, potential delays in the Iridium NEXT deployment, levels of demand for mobile satellite services (MSS), the development of and market for the Aireon hosted payload and auxiliary payloads, the development of and market for the Iridium PRIME hosted payloads, demand for hosted payloads generally and the company’s ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, as well as general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the SEC”) on March 5, 2013, and the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, filed with the SEC on August 1, 2013, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium’s expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

###

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Exhibit 99.2

INTRODUCING IRIDIUM PRIMESM

A New Vision for Hosted Payloads

Iridium Press Conference

September 9, 2013

Overview

Iridium is introducing an exciting new business today, based on our success with AireonSM and auxiliary hosted payloads on Iridium NEXT.

Hosted payloads have become essential to providing affordable options for space missions, and opportunities are expanding

Iridium is introducing a bold new vision for hosted payloads that we believe will positively disrupt the satellite industry, offering far more cost-effective access to space

2

All Systems Go! For Iridium NEXT

In Development/Production and on Budget

Over $1B spent to-date – and the project is on budget

Ground infrastructure upgrades continue for mid-2014 readiness Broadband service development underway – in space, on ground, and in user terminals

Key Mission Team Partners

Excellent collaboration across Iridium NEXT Mission Team, led by Thales Alenia Space SpaceX is making excellent progress on our launch program

Launch Timeline

First launch accelerated to February 1, 2015 target Constellation expected to be complete in 2017

3

Iridium NEXT Hosted Payload Opportunity

Iridium offered the world a unique value pr

Unprecedented coverage (100% of globe) Ideal altitude: close to earth (700km) rather than far away (36,000km) User control of the hosted payload Very cost-effective (compared to stand-alone) No ground infrastructure required

And we sold out the space!

Hosted Payload Volume

Iridium NEXT

Hosted Payload Target Specifications

Weight 50 kg

Payload Dimensions 30cm x 40cm x

70cm

50 W orbit

Payload Power average; 200 W

peak

Payload Data Rate <1 Mbps, Orbit

average ~100Kbps

4

Aireon – Iridium NEXT’s Primary Hosted Payload

Aireon -> Next Generation Air Traffic Control

Key Potential Benefits

More efficient aircraft routing and management

$6-$8 billion in fuel savings to airlines over 12 years based on industry analysis

Reduced emissions and environmental impact from optimal routing

5

Aireon Business Case

A potential $500 million opportunity

Key Future Milestones

Long-term data contracts with Air Navigation Service Providers (NAV CANADA complete; FAA and others to follow)

Additional debt financing to be arranged and secured by long-term data contracts

Successful launch of Iridium NEXT and Aireon

Potential Financial Value for Iridium

$200 million in one-time hosting fees between 2014 and 2017 Potential $300 million in data fee revenue over the life of Iridium NEXT Substantial ownership interest represents significant potential value

6

Iridium NEXT Hosted Payload Success

Harris is using remaining Iridium NEXT hosted payload capacity to host small auxiliary payloads

The auxiliary payloads could represent up to another $45M in hosting/data service revenue to Iridium over the life of Iridium NEXT

These Iridium NEXT hosted payloads represent a small fraction of the many opportunities that Iridium explored over the past five years. Many may have been feasible but could not be closed in time for the Iridium NEXT launch

7

What Did We Learn?

Examples—Hosted Payload Opportunities Pursued for Iridium NEXT

There were over 30 distinct payload opportunities pursued for Iridium NEXT Potential customers recognized the value of hosting their payloads on Iridium NEXT, but were constrained due to:

The commercial pace of the Iridium NEXT launch schedule Alignment with customers’ technology and budget decision-making process, particularly government customers Satellite design technical specification requirements, such as:

Volume, mass, power, data rates

Potential radio frequency interference with the primary Iridium communication payload

Awareness Services

Proprietary Automatic ID Systems

Communications, (AIS) – Ship Based

Tracking, & Wideband

Monitoring Real-Time Monitoring

Control & Terrestrial Surveillance

Communication at Various Optical

w/Other Space Assets Wavelengths

Scientific and

Space Weather Climate Monitoring

Applications

Despite strong demand for Iridium NEXT hosted payload space the main thing customers needed was more TIME

8

Hosted Payloads Remain a Great Opportunity

Tight budgets require new approaches

Requirements growing for hosted payload applications

Example: US Air Force Space & Missile Command issuing RFP for Hosted Payload Solutions (HoPS), creating a recurring contract vehicle for USG hosted payloads Public/Private Partnership Opportunities Industry still in infancy and successes so far have been opportunistic “Driven by budget constraints, government agencies throughout the world are increasingly open to adopting the hosted payload concept” – EuroConsult – Hosted Payloads Report 2012

9

INTRODUCING

10

Why Now?

With Iridium NEXT, Iridium can fly more than 66 satellites in our unique, cross-linked, global constellation After designing and building 81 satellites (operational and spares), additional satellites will have a very low incremental cost Once Iridium NEXT is complete in 2017, we can launch additional satellites/payloads into our network when they are ready Our Iridium NEXT ground support systems are designed to fly more than 140 satellites at a time

11

The Iridium PRIMESM Advantage

Designed to leverage Iridium’s established space-based global mesh network, ground infrastructure, and flexible bus design to enable more affordable and responsive space payload accommodations

Highly flexible accommodations; ability to place one or more hosted payloads on up to 66 new Iridium PRIME satellites

Greater control over payload development, schedule and operations

Cost-effective to operate compared to stand alone payloads

“Turnkey” hosted payload missions can be launched into LEO as early as 2017

12

Iridium PRIMESM Description

Iridium PRIME satellites will not have Iridium NEXT L-band main mission hardware and software

Significantly expanded space, power, weight and data rates for expanded mission possibilities Low-cost Iridium PRIME buses take advantage of $3B Iridium NEXT investment

Significant flexibility on timing – Iridium will put together missions for lowest cost and launch when customers are ready Reuses SEAKR Engineering OBP (On Board Processor) power for added customer flexibility New Hosted Payload Controller to support diverse and varied payloads on the same satellite

Iridium’s “once in a lifetime” opportunity has been extended!

13

Iridium PRIMESM Specifications

Creates a turnkey platform for hosted payloads that will cost less than 50% of the cost of creating a stand-alone satellite mission

Payload Location Available PRIME Payload Area

Payload Power

Payload Data Rate

50 Watts (200 W peak)

Up to 1 Mbps

14

Iridium PRIMESM – Potential Financial Impact

Key Business Assumptions:

Hosting License Fees

Iridium receives “hosting license fees” in addition to actual satellite, launch and insurance costs for Iridium PRIME missions

R&D/Hosted Payload Mission Development

Iridium earns return from R&D and hosted payload mission development

Customer Economies of Scale

Iridium consolidates opportunities to allow customers to share and reduce costs

Significant Hosting and Data Service Revenue Opportunity

An average of 2—6 satellites launching per year would contribute materially to our funding profile for Iridium NEXT and be a new revenue source

Potentially significant new business for Thales Alenia Space and their technology partners

15

Iridium PRIMESM – Next Steps

Introducing David A. Anhalt—Vice President & General Manager, Iridium PRIME

Iridium is working with Thales Alenia on Iridium PRIME bus procurement and potentially partnering for European payloads

Discussions underway with key aerospace partners who can market the capability and develop customer payload opportunities

Pricing approach that is fair, simple and optimized for payload customers missions

Initial Interest From Potential Payload Partners Has Been Excellent

16

The “Iridium PRIME” Vision

Leveraging our established space-based global mesh network, ground infrastructure, and flexible bus design, Iridium will become THE premier provider of affordable and responsive turnkey space payload accommodations

17

Questions?

www.iridium.com/IridiumPRIME

Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement

This meaning presentation of Section contains 27A of the statements Securities about Act future of 1933, events as amended and expectations (the “Securities known Act”), as “forward-looking and Section 21E statements” of the Securities within the Exchange and the information Act of 1934, currently as amended available (the to “Exchange us. Act”). The Company has based these statements on its current expectations the Forward-looking development statements of and transition in this to presentation the Iridium include NEXT constellation; statements regarding features the of the expected Iridium duration NEXT system; of the expected existing constellation; Iridium NEXT project Aireon and costs auxiliary and deployment hosted payloads schedule; to Iridium; the capabilities the development and benefits of Iridium of the PRIME Aireon satellites; system; the and expected demand potential for hosted value of payloads. “projects,” Other “intends,” forward-looking “likely,” “will,” statements “to be” and can other be identified expressions by that the words are predictions “anticipates,” of or “may,” indicate “can,” future “believes,” events, “expects,” trends or the prospects. actual results, These forward-looking performance or statements achievements involve of Iridium known to and differ unknown materially risks, from uncertainties any future and results, other factors performance that may or cause achievements to, uncertainties expressed regarding or overall implied Iridium by such NEXT forward-looking development statements. and costs, potential These risks delays and uncertainties in the Iridium include, NEXT deployment, but are not levels limited of payloads, demand the for development mobile satellite of and services market (MSS), for the the Iridium development PRIME of hosted and market payloads, for demand the Aireon for hosted hosted payload payloads and generally auxiliary and the company’s economic conditions, ability to maintain and competitive, the health, legal, capacity governmental and content and of technological its satellite factors. constellation, Other as factors well as that general could industry cause actual and “Risk results Factors” to differ in materially the Company’s from Form those 10-K indicated filed with by the the forward-looking Securities and Exchange statements Commission include those (“the factors SEC”) listed for the under year the ended caption There December is no 31, assurance 2012, filed that with Iridium’s the SEC expectations on March 5, will 2013, be realized. as well as If other one or filings more Iridium of these makes risks or with uncertainties the SEC from materialize, time to time. or if Iridium’s projected. underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or Readers unless otherwise are cautioned indicated. not to The place Company undue undertakes reliance on no these obligation forward-looking to release statements, publicly any which revisions speak to only any forward-looking as of the date hereof statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

19