Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) announced that the final four SS/L designed satellites built for Globalstar, Inc. are scheduled to be launched October 21st on a Soyuz launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellites, built as spares, will augment the existing Globalstar constellation, which provides worldwide mobile satellite voice and data services.
The four Globalstar satellites, which were manufactured by prime contractor Space Systems/Loral and a consortium of partners and subcontractors, were completed in 2002 and placed in storage at SS/L's flight storage facility. Together with four spares that were launched earlier this year on May 30, the new satellites will augment the existing first generation Globalstar constellation of 40 LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites.
"The Space Systems/Loral technical launch operations team has done a terrific job in preparation for Saturday's launch," said Jay Monroe, chairman and CEO of Globalstar, Inc. "Together with the four launched last May, these satellites represent the beginning of our next-generation constellation."
"Globalstar has been a pioneer in bringing communications to remote areas of the globe," said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral. "We are pleased to work with Globalstar to put these final four spares into use."
