Orbital is building and launching a total of 36 low-orbit satellites for its OrbComm Global, L.P. (OrbComm) affiliate, which is developing the world's first "Little LEO" data communications constellation designed to allow businesses and individuals to send and receive short, low-cost messages anywhere on Earth. The upcoming Pegasus launch will bring the total number of in-orbit OrbComm satellites to 20.

The OrbComm satellites are based on Orbital's flight-proven MicroStar(TM) spacecraft platform. MicroStar serves as the basis for a total of 14 satellites now in orbit, including spacecraft for OrbComm, ORBIMAGE and Teledesic. The MicroStar platform is uniquely designed to be launched in multiple or "piggyback" units aboard the company's Pegasus rocket by arranging the disc-shaped satellites in a stacked configuration. The OrbComm satellites that were shipped by Orbital each weigh approximately 90 pounds and are designed with an expected operational life of eight years.

A joint venture between Orbital and Teleglobe Mobile Partners, OrbComm is the world's first mobile satellite services provider to offer two-way data and messaging communications. The OrbComm system is fully licensed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and is currently providing communications services throughout North America. OrbComm has also been granted spectrum worldwide by the International Telecommunications Union and has established service distribution arrangements in 100 countries around the world.

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Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India.