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Globalstar Receives US Govt Approval To Launch Spare Satellites
Milpitas CA (SPX) Dec 08, 2005 Globalstar confirmed Wednesday that it has received US State Department approval to proceed with its plans to procure launch services for up to eight spare satellites with launches scheduled to begin in early 2007. Globalstar also confirmed that it has executed a contract with Starsem, provider of the Soyuz launch vehicle. The Globalstar agreement with Starsem confirms that the provider will conduct at least one launch of Globalstar spare satellites with an option for one additional launch. Starsem has successfully conducted six previous Globalstar launches using the reliable Soyuz launch vehicle. Like the previous launches, the Globalstar spare satellites will be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Globalstar has also signed a contract with Eurockot, provider of the Rockot launch vehicle. The Rockot vehicle launches from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located in Northern Russia. Satellites launched by the Soyuz will be placed into an interim phasing orbit at an altitude of 920 km to be available for replenishment throughout the satellite constellation. Individual satellites launched by Rockot may be placed almost directly into the operational altitude of 1414 km. "Satellite launches are a complex and lengthy undertaking. The government approvals and the early signing of our vendors means that we can remain on track to launch Globalstar's eight spare satellites in the first half of 2007 - as planned." said Jay Monroe, chairman and CEO of Globalstar. "We are also pleased to renew our relationship with Starsem, who launched 24 of the existing satellites in the Globalstar constellation." The Globalstar constellation continues to function as designed, delivering industry-leading voice quality and data throughput. The availability of orbital spares will ensure that all parts of the Globalstar network remain robust and reliable as demand for Globalstar's satellite voice and data services continues to grow. These agreements add to the growing list of announcements made by Globalstar in 2005. In addition to a variety of new products and services launched in the past 10 months, Globalstar also continues to take steps to enhance its ground and space based operations and network. Earlier this year, Globalstar opened a new gateway ground station in Sebring, Florida, to enhance voice and data services in the Caribbean, and the company began construction of a new Satellite Gateway in Wasilla, Alaska scheduled to open in spring 2006. Globalstar has also announced the purchase of several simplex data gateway appliques as well as a new $140 million agreement with QUALCOMM to ensure the manufacture and supply of satellite voice and data handsets. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Starsem Eurockot Globalstar SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Satellite Constellation - multiple satellite deployments in LEO and Beyond
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Tests Iridium Based Satellite Tracking System
Bethesda MD (SPX) Dec 20, 2005The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has begun testing a maritime safety system for automatic vessel monitoring and emergency alerting at sea using the Iridium satellite network. |
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