Satellite provider Iridium has decided to launch a new attempt to bring space communications to smartphones and possibly laptops. A previous attempt to implement a similar project with Qualcomm failed due to lack of interest from smartphone manufacturers. The company now wants to connect unmodified smartphones as well, but wants to limit it to text messaging only.

Iridium has introduced Project Stardust, a program designed to help smartphone owners send text messages and call emergency services by connecting to the company’s low-orbit satellite constellation. The Stardust Project will be implemented on the basis of open 3GPP standards, which will make it easier for electronic component manufacturers, off-the-shelf devices and mobile operators to integrate Iridium into their products. The company tried to promote its own solution together with Qualcomm; this was an effort to respond to the appearance of the Emergency SOS function on the Apple iPhone.

Now Iridium has decided to act on the fact that smartphone manufacturers do not want to depend on only one chip manufacturer to support satellite communications; They preferred a standardized approach, so the satellite operator decided to develop the project in accordance with 3GPP standards. This will require more time and effort for Iridium to install the necessary equipment on its satellites, but as a result, unmodified smartphones outside the coverage area of ​​terrestrial operators will be able to connect to them. In case of emergency, they will be able to indicate their location and send messages to emergency services.

Iridium doesn’t plan to limit itself to just smartphones; Satellite communications can appear in tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and even Internet of Things devices. The company has not yet specified which partners it plans to implement the Project Stardust program with, but announced that the tests of the system will begin next year and commercial activity will begin in 2026. Iridium isn’t planning to install giant antennas on satellites like SpaceX Starlink does because it plans to limit itself to just receiving text messages; The company does not plan to offer voice communications and data transfer services.