Which statement about the Iridium system is true?

The statement that there are 48 spot beams per satellite in the Iridium system is accurate. This characteristic reflects Iridium’s design, which enables it to provide global coverage for mobile satellite communications. Each satellite is equipped to handle multiple spot beams, allowing for simultaneous communication across various regions on the Earth's surface.

Iridium's architecture relies on a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which is fundamentally different from systems that operate in geostationary orbit. The use of multiple spot beams helps increase capacity and improve connectivity for users across diverse geographical areas, making the network highly efficient for voice and data transmission.

The other statements do not align with the specifications of the Iridium system, as they either overstate or understate features such as the number of beams or the orbital characteristics. This is what underlines the importance of understanding the system’s operational framework and its satellite design when evaluating the functionalities of satellite communication systems.