Mobile satellite operator Globalstar plans to launch a further 18 second-generation satellites this year after lofting six of the birds last October.
The company expects to launch six satellites in May, followed by two batches of six spacecraft 60-90…
Mobile satellite operator Globalstar plans to launch a further 18 second-generation satellites this year after lofting six of the birds last October.
The company expects to launch six satellites in May, followed by two batches of six spacecraft 60-90 days after.
Arianespace has been contracted to launch all 24 second generation satellites on Soyuz rockets.
Once lofted, the Thales Alenia Space manufactured satellites will join eight first generation spacecraft, which were launched in 2007, to form a 32 satellite constellation designed to ensure mobile phone and data services continuity beyond 2025.
“As planned, during the orbit-raising of the first new satellites launched in October, we continue to validate our on-orbit acceptance tests and operating procedures for each of the new spacecraft,” said Tony Navarra, Globalstar’s president of global operations.
“Our six-month validation period is being used to confirm our satellite design and performance. Once complete, and barring any unforeseen issues, we will be able to confirm a more specific scheduled launch date.” Each second generation satellite, called Globalstar-2, will hold 16 C- to S-band transponders, and 16 L- to C-band receivers. They will be equally distributed in eight orbital planes, inclined 52 degrees and separated by 45 degrees, to ensure global coverage.
Thales announced on 21 February that it had successfully positioned the first four Globalstar-2 satellites into their respective orbits.
“All four of these satellites have now passed acceptance tests, with both payload and platform showing very satisfactory performance,” the company stated.
“Furthermore, the quality of the initial calls transmitted by these satellites is excellent. The last two satellites in the first cluster of six to be launched are still in transition orbit at 1,000 km, with an initial orbit-raising maneuver being carried out in December.” Financing for the second generation satellites was secured on 1 July 2009, when GlobalStar announced the completion of a US$738m fund raising.
This amount included a US$586m Coface-backed credit facility, US$55m in convertible debt, US$60m in contingent equity from majority shareholder Thermo Funding, plus a debt service reserve account of around US$36.8m.
A GlobalStar spokesman said: “The financing funds the construction and launch of our first 24 second-generation satellites. Suitable financing may be considered depending on our strategic decisions regarding the remaining 24 satellites.”
