The first six second-generation Globalstar mobile communication satellites have arrived at Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and are being readied for a mid-October launch on a Soyuz rocket, Globalstar and its satellite manufacturer, Thales Alenia Space, announced Sept. 1.
Two sets of three Globalstar satellites were sent from the manufacturer’s integration facility near Rome by Antonov cargo jet to Baikonur. The first three spacecraft arrived at the spaceport in August.
Thales Alenia Space is under contract to deliver 24 Globalstar satellites, with the three remaining six-satellite launches also to be on Soyuz rockets from Baikonur. These missions are scheduled to occur in 2011. The Soyuz launches are being managed by Europe’s Arianespace launch consortium of Evry, France.
Meanwhile, Milpitas, Calif.-based Globalstar has selected aerospace consultancy Anewworld of Toulouse, France, to market Globalstar services to European government agencies for civil and military applications, Anewworld announced Sept. 3.
