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                           Before the
               Federal Communications Commission
                     Washington, D.C. 20554
                                
                                     
                                     
                                     )
In the Matter of the Application of          )
                                     )
Space System License, Inc. for Modification      )                 File No. SAT-MOD-19990303-00021
of License for Authority to Launch and       )
Operate a Low Earth Orbit Satellite System in         )
the 1616-1626.5 MHz Band             )
                                     )


                    Order and Authorization

Adopted:  June 24, 1999                 Released:  June 25, 1999

By the Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division, International Bureau:

1.  By this Order, we grant Space System License, Inc. (SSL) the authority to increase by two
the number of in-orbit spare satellites authorized for its Iridium satellite constellation.  

2.  On January 31, 1995, SSL's predecessor in interest, Motorola Satellite Communications,
Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Motorola, Inc., was authorized to construct, launch and operate
a low-Earth orbit (LEO) mobile satellite system (MSS) consisting of 66 satellites and up to 12 in-orbit
spares.

3.  SSL states that over the past few months it has reviewed its launch and in-orbit spare
satellite strategies and now believes that it is prudent to have the authority for an additional two in-
orbit spare satellites.  This requirement, SSL adds, stems from current replacement needs in
conjunction with available launch vehicle capacity.  Available launch vehicle capacity may permit
launch of replacement satellites in excess of the currently authorized number of replacement satellites,
and it would be inefficient and unnecessarily costly to launch with less than a full payload.  SSL
further concludes that with the authority to have a total of 14 in-orbit spares it will be able to optimize
launch capacity as well as maintain an adequate number of in-orbit satellites in each of the six planes
of the Iridium system constellation.  This will allow SSL to replace decommissioned satellites more
promptly.

      
     4.  We find that the public interest will be served by the grant of SSL's unopposed application,
by giving SSL greater flexibility in assigning in-orbit spare capacity when needed, and thereby
insuring reliable mobile-satellite service to the public.

5.  Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Application File No. SAT-MOD-19990303-00021
IS GRANTED, and Space System License, Inc. IS AUTHORIZED to increase the number of in-orbit
spare satellites in the Iridium constellation by two, for a total of 14 satellites.

     6.  This Order is issued pursuant to Section 0.261 of the Commission's Rules on delegated
authority, 47 C.F.R.  0.261, and is effective upon adoption.



                              FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION



                              Thomas S. Tycz
                              Chief
                         Satellite and Radiocommunication Division    
                                   International Bureau