Teledesic’s Future Tied to Iridium

But if the plan fails, Teledesic may be financially out of luck. “Everything depends on Iridium,” said Marco Caceres, senior space analyst with the Teal Group. “It’s clear in the investment community that if, on 23 September, they turn on the switch and it [doesn't] work, it would be bad for Celestri,” he added. “They won’t be able to raise US$15 billion or whatever it will cost if their $5 billion system isn’t working,” noted Caceres, who pores over satellite system proposals and papers to advise investors.