* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Globalstar Satellites

Blobrana · L

A Soyuz-Fregat rocket carrying four Globalstar communications satellites successfully lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 20:12 GMT Saturday, (2:12 am local time Sunday) .
The four Globalstar satellites, separated from the Fregat upper stage 102 minutes after liftoff, and were placed into a 920 km low Earth orbit.

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Blobrana · L

According to the Russia's space agency the launch of the four U.S. Globalstar satellites into orbit aboard a Soyuz-FG carrier rocket from the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan has been rescheduled for October 21.
The Federal Space Agency brought forward the launch, which was originally set for October 25.

Blobrana · L

According to the Russia space agency the launch of four U.S. Globalstar satellites aboard a Soyuz-FG carrier rocket will be from the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan on October 25.
The current Globalstar orbital constellation comprises of 48 LEO satellites, with an additional four satellites in orbit as spares.
Each Globalstar satellite consists of an antenna, a trapezoidal body, two solar arrays and a magnetometer, and operates at an altitude of 1,414km.
The service life of a Globalstar satellite is over seven years.

Source Novosti

Blobrana · L

Starsem successfully launches Globalstar satellites
Globalstar, Inc., a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government, and individuals, and Starsem, the Soyuz Company today announced that four Globalstar satellites were successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using the Soyuz launch vehicle. These satellites, together with the additional four ground spare satellites due to be launched shortly, will augment the current operating constellation and improve the Globalstar quality of two-way voice and data service through the launch of the second generation satellite constellation.
The Globalstar satellites were launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, May 30 at 2:31 am local time (20:31 UTC and 1:31 pm May 29 in California), using the Soyuz-Fregat version of the Soyuz launch vehicle. This is the 1721st successful launch of the Soyuz family rocket.
Starsem confirmed that the upper stage accurately injected the four satellite dispenser into the targeted low Earth orbit of 920 km at 4:18 am local time (22:18 UTC and 3:18 pm May 29 in California). Globalstar reports that all four satellites have been successfully acquired following separation of the Fregat upper stage and release from the satellite dispenser. While Globalstar is continuing to perform initial satellite in-orbit tests, the performance of all four spacecraft is nominal at this time.

"We are absolutely ecstatic about this success and pleased to make this announcement. We applaud all of our Globalstar employees world-wide who have worked tirelessly to make this day a reality. We also thank our proven launch services provider Starsem as well as the prime contractor for the first generation satellites, Space Systems Loral, and sub-contractor Thales Alenia Space for this launch success. Today is also a great day for Globalstar stockholders. Globalstar has invested approximately $120 million into the core satellite business in order to launch these four satellites plus the remaining four ground spares. Globalstar considers these eight satellites to represent the beginning of our next-generation constellation, because they will not only help bridge the gap today, but last long into and seamlessly operate with, our second-generation constellation" - Jay Monroe, Chairman & CEO of Globalstar, Inc.

In December 2006, Globalstar signed a EURO 661 million (approximately $865 million) contract with Thales Alenia Space for the design, manufacture and delivery of 48 new satellites for the second-generation Globalstar satellite constellation, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the summer of 2009. The satellites are being designed to provide service until at least 2025.

"I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Jay Monroe, Chairman & CEO of Globalstar, and to thank Mr. Monroe for the confidence he has shown in Starsem and the Soyuz launcher. The work of Starsem and its Russian partners though is not yet finished and we look forward to our next launch for Globalstar later this summer" - Mr. Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman & CEO of Starsem.

Thales Alenia Space is completing the necessary tests on the remaining four first-generation satellites at its facility in Rome, Italy. These satellites will then be shipped to the launch complex in Baikonur for final pre-launch preparations.

Source Arianespace press release

Blobrana · L

Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications and the world's leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, today announced that four SS/L designed satellites built for Globalstar, Inc. to provide mobile satellite voice and data services are scheduled to be launched later this month on a Soyuz launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

IMAGE

The four Globalstar satellites, which were manufactured by prime contractor Space Systems/Loral and a consortium of partners and subcontractors, were completed as ground spares in 2002 and placed in storage at SS/L's flight storage facility. In early 2006 the satellites were removed for post-storage testing in preparation for flight. This testing was performed by Space Systems/Loral at its manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, California and by the company's subcontractor, Thales Alenia Space, at its production facility in Rome.
A total of eight ground spares are planned for launch this year to augment the existing first generation Globalstar constellation of 40 LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites. The Globalstar constellation has provided worldwide telephone and data service, especially for remote areas beyond cellular and landline service, since 1999.

"Space Systems/Loral design and engineering oversight has been crucial to the preparations of the four ground spares that are scheduled for launch later this month. As the architect for our first generation constellation of satellites, Space Systems/Loral brought significant advances to two-way voice and data satellite service" - Jay Monroe, Chairman and CEO of Globalstar, Inc.

Space Systems/Loral designed autonomy features into the Globalstar LEO satellites that simplify ground monitoring and on-going operation of these satellites. With on-board orbit determination, the satellites eliminate the need for ground operations to perform extensive measurements to determine their exact position in space.

"Our ongoing association with Globalstar demonstrates our flexibility in helping satellite operators meet their business objectives. We recognise the value of bringing communications to remote areas and are pleased to see these ground spares put into use" - John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral.

Source Globalstar, Inc.

Blobrana · L

Globalstar's Soyuz #7 Launch Campaign is Underway in Baikonur
Globalstar, Inc. , a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, governments, and individuals, announced today that May 20, 2007 is the scheduled date for the first launch of four Globalstar first-generation ground spare satellites. These four satellites, together with four additional satellites due to be launched later this year, will be used to augment the company's current first-generation LEO (low earth orbit) satellite constellation.
Globalstar is investing over $110 million in the two launches, which are to be conducted by the Russian-European launch services company Starsem (Arianespace, Astrium, Roscosmos, Samara Space Centre) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Globalstar will once again be using the highly reliable, human-rated Soyuz launch vehicle, which Starsem used to successfully launch twenty-four Globalstar satellites from Baikonur in 1999.

"Now that the launch team has arrived at the Cosmodrome, I would like to thank Starsem and its contractors as well as Space Systems/Loral, the prime contractor for the first generation satellites and their sub-contractor Thales Alenia Space for facilitating the smooth and flawless deliveries of the launch vehicle and the spacecraft. The team will now perform the preflight preparations needed prior to integrating the satellites with the launch vehicle" - Ms Megan Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Space Operations for Globalstar, Inc.

"With the arrival of the Globalstar satellites to Baikonur, joining the Soyuz launch vehicle from TsSKB-Samara, the Fregat upper stage from NPO-Lavotchkin and the satellites dispenser from Astrium, I am very pleased to welcome once again the entire Globalstar team to the Starsem launch facilities. We are proud to have the chance to perform Soyuz launches 7 and 8 for Globalstar and look forward to our continued participation in the Globalstar success" - Mr. Jean-Yves Le Gall, Starsem and Arianespace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Globalstar plans to use its current constellation plus these additional eight first-generation satellites as it manages the transition through to the launch of the Globalstar II second-generation constellation, which is expected to begin in late 2009.
With over 250,000 activated satellite voice and data units, Globalstar offers high value, high quality satellite services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's voice and data products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible service packages. Many land based and maritime industries benefit from Globalstar with increased productivity from remote areas beyond cellular and landline service. Global customer segments include: oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications.

Source Globalstar, Inc.