The Delta II 7420-10 is a unique vehicle configuration designed by Boeing engineers to meet the lighter requirements of the Globalstar payload. The vehicle has been configured with only four solid rocket motors instead of the traditional nine, to lift Globalstar's four satellites into orbit.

The traditional Delta II 7920 with nine solid rocket motors has more than payload capacity required for this mission. The four Globalstar satellites have a total weight of 3,986.4 lbs. (1812 kg) compared to the 10,735 lb. (4,869) low-Earth orbit capacity of the Delta II 7920-10 launched from CCAS.

The Delta II is scheduled for two Globalstar launches, delivering four satellites each into low-Earth orbit. The second launch is scheduled for April.

``This launch will be the foundation for the rest of the constellation and the Boeing Delta II team is proud to be the anchor launch provider,'' said Darryl Van Dorn, director of NASA and Commercial Delta Programs.

The Globalstar satellites are built by Space Systems/Loral, a division of Loral Space & Communications. When completed, the satellite constellation will consist of 48 satellites orbiting at 756 nautical miles (1400 kilometers) above the Earth. Globalstar will provide voice, data, fax and other telecommunications services to users worldwide.

The Delta IIs are manufactured by Boeing in Huntington Beach, Calif., with final assembly in Pueblo, Colo. The 7420-10 two-stage launch vehicle consists of four major assemblies: the first stage, including main engine and 10- foot diameter payload fairing. The Delta II is approximately 126 feet tall and eight feet in diameter.

Background

Globalstar is a partnership of 10 international telecommunications and aerospace companies. Globalstar's service partners, AirTouch Communications, Dacom, Elsag Bailey, France Telecom, Alcatel, Loral Space and Communications, and Vodafone, will market and sell Globalstar's services around the world in conjunction with partners and allies.

Globalstar's manufacturing partners, Space Systems/Loral, Hyundai, Daimler Benz Aerospace, Alcatel, Alenia, and QUALCOMM Incorporated, play a key role in the design development, launch and operations of the Globalstar satellite system and network. Globalstar is fully funded, has secured service provider agreements in 106 countries and has obtained licenses in 24 of those nations.

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