Boeing will launch a further four GlobalStars next Tuesday utilising its Delta II rocket. Launch is scheduled for 12:37am EDT August 17 from Pad 17B – with a three-minute launch window.
Boeing is hoping the launch will set a record for the most satellites (17) orbited within the shortest period of time (80 days) for any launch vehicle in history.
The launch will bring the total number of Globalstar satellites on orbit to 36, with Boeing hopefully responsible for having launched 16 of these.
Three Delta II launches each carrying four Globalstar satellites took place on June 10, July 10 and July 24. Boeing also launched NASA's FUSE spacecraft on June 24.
"This fuels our affirmation that we are using our resources effectively to give our customers a streamlined, consistent, quality ride to space," said Jay Witzling, Boeing vice president of Delta II and Titan Fairing Programs.
"The entire Delta team is committed to this goal, and has worked very hard over the past few months, fostering Delta's reputation as the industry workhorse."
The Delta II is manufactured in Huntington Beach, Calif., with final assembly in Pueblo, Colo., and is powered by the RS-27A engine built by Boeing in Canoga Park, Calif.
Alliant Techsystems, Magna, Utah, builds the graphite epoxy motors for boost assist. Aerojet, Sacramento, Calif., manufactures the second-stage engine; and AlliedSignal, Teterboro, N.J., builds the guidance and flight control system.
The Globalstar network is a planned constellation of 48 satellites orbiting at 764 nautical miles (1414 km) above the Earth that will supply global mobile telephony service.
