Eight Satellites Are Ground Spares for the Current Globalstar LEO Constellation
Globalstar, Inc., a world leader in providing mobile satellite voice and data services to business, announced today that it has received the US Government approvals needed to export its eight spare satellites to Europe for continued pre-launch preparations. The satellites, which recently completed initial post storage tests at the Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) facility in Palo Alto, California, are now being prepared for shipment to an Alcatel Alenia Space facility in Italy where they will undergo additional validation testing.
The satellites are ground spares for the company’s first generation LEO (low earth orbit) satellite constellation, which is used to provide mobile satellite voice and data services to Globalstar customers around the world.
“We are very pleased to receive the necessary government export approvals needed to proceed with the pre-launch preparations of our eight spare satellites,” said Jay Monroe, Chairman and CEO of Globalstar, Inc. Mr. Monroe added, “Prime contractor SS/L as well as Alcatel were both integral to the successful launch of the first generation Globalstar constellation and we are delighted that they are once again supporting our spare satellite preparations.”
From 1998 to 2000, SS/L delivered the Globalstar satellites in-orbit for the company’s LEO satellite constellation. The in-orbit satellites along with the eight ground spares, were originally assembled, integrated and tested in Rome, Italy by Alcatel Alenia Space. SS/L is now coordinating with the former Globalstar satellite production partners Alcatel Alenia Space and EADS Astrium to prepare the spare satellites for launch.
Globalstar has a firm contract with Starsem for the launch of the eight spare satellites. Starsem uses the reliable Soyuz booster to send customer payloads into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
About Globalstar, Inc.
With over 200,000 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.
For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar’s web site at www.globalstar.com .
For further media information:
Globalstar, Inc.
Dean Hirasawa
408-933-4006
Dean.hirasawa@globalstar.com
