Falcon 9 Rocket to Carry ORBCOMM’s First Two Next-Generation OG2 Satellites
ORBCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq: ORBC) and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) today announced plans to carry the first two ORBCOMM next-generation OG2 satellites to orbit on the next Falcon 9 launch this year.
Falcon 9 is a two-stage launch vehicle powered by liquid oxygen and rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) capable of delivering 10,450 kg (23,050 lb) to low-Earth orbit and 4,540 kg (10,000 lb) to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). The nine Merlin engines on the first stage generate more than one million pounds of thrust at liftoff and allow the launch vehicle to perform as planned even with one or two of the engines out. Falcon 9 was designed from the ground up by SpaceX for the reliable and cost-efficient transport of satellites to low Earth orbit and GTO as well as for sending SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to orbiting destinations such as the International Space Station.
The ORBCOMM OG2 satellites are being manufactured by an industry team led by Sierra Nevada Corp and Boeing’s Argon ST subsidiary. A total of 18 ORBCOMM next-generation OG2 satellites are currently in production. ORBCOMM OG2 satellites will offer enhanced ORBCOMM messaging capabilities, increased capacity, and automatic identification systems (AIS) service. The planned Falcon 9 launch will place ORBCOMM’s first two OG2 satellites into a 52* inclined 350 by 750 km insertion orbit. The satellites’ onboard propulsion systems will then be used to circulize the orbit at 750 km.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch site is located at Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. More information on the launch will be provided at www.SpaceX.com.
About ORBCOMM Inc.
ORBCOMM is a leading global satellite data communications company, focused on Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications. Its customers include Caterpillar Inc., Doosan Infracore America, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Asset Intelligence a division of I.D. Systems, Inc., Komatsu Ltd., Manitowoc Crane Companies, Inc., and Volvo Construction Equipment among other industry leaders. By means of a global network of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure, ORBCOMM’s low-cost and reliable two-way data communication services track, monitor and control mobile and fixed assets in four core markets: commercial transportation; heavy equipment; industrial fixed assets; and marine/homeland security. ORBCOMM based products are installed on trucks, containers, marine vessels, locomotives, backhoes, pipelines, oil wells, utility meters, storage tanks and other assets. ORBCOMM is headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey and has its network control center in Dulles, Virginia. For more information, visit www.orbcomm.com.
About SpaceX
SpaceX is developing a family of launch vehicles and spacecraft that is increasing the reliability and performance of space transportation, while ultimately reducing costs by a factor of ten. With the Falcon rockets, SpaceX has a diverse manifest of launches to deliver commercial and government satellites to orbit. After the Space Shuttle retires, the Falcon 9 and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will start carrying cargo, including live plants and animals, to and from the International Space Station for NASA. Falcon 9 and Dragon were developed to one day carry astronauts. Founded in 2002, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Valor Equity Partners. The company has over 1,250 employees in California, Texas and Florida. For more information, and to watch the video of the Falcon 9 and Dragon launches, visit the SpaceX website at SpaceX.com.
