NEW YORK, Jun 10, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE via COMTEX) --
Globalstar(NASDAQ:GSTRF) today announced the successful launch of an
additional four low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites into space,
bringing the total number of Globalstar satellites that have been
successfully launched to 24. Globalstar's satellites, manufactured by
prime contractor Space Systems/Loral, were launched on June 10 at 9:48
a.m. EDT aboard a Boeing Delta II launch vehicle from the Cape
Canaveral Air Station in Florida.
"With only two more successful launches of four satellites each
Globalstar will have the coverage required to initiate a regional
roll-out of service in September," said Bernard L. Schwartz, chairman
and chief executive officer of Globalstar. "We are very pleased with
the performance of our in-orbit satellites and with the results of our
exhaustive systems testing."
"Hundreds of calls have been placed over the system, in both the
satellite and cellular mode, and the call quality is excellent," Mr.
Schwartz continued. "Our service provider partners are fine-tuning
their marketing plans and advertising should begin at the end of the
summer."
Increased system testing is the primary reason Globalstar adjusted its
launch schedule in April, accelerating a previously procured Delta II
from early November. Because it can launch Globalstar's satellites into
a higher altitude, the Delta II rocket offers the advantage of reducing
the time required for orbit raising, and allowing earlier availability
of the satellites foradditional system tests.
The Globalstar satellites were separated in pairs from the upper stage
of the Delta II rocket at an altitude of 1370 kilometers (851 miles)
above the Earth. Engineers at Globalstar's ground control center in San
Jose, Calif., subsequently acquired the satellites using the six
Globalstar telemetry command unit gateways located in Aussaguel,
France; Yeoju, South Korea; Dubbo, Australia; Bosque Allegre,
Argentina; Delareyville, South Africa; and Clifton, Texas. During the
next 14-17 days, Globalstar engineering teams will raise the satellites
to their operational altitude of 1,414 kilometers (877 miles).
Launches will continue through the end of the year, using a combination
of Delta and Soyuz launch vehicles. Upon completion, the 48-satellite
constellation will provide full system capacity and redundancy, backed
up by an additional four on-orbit spares.
The Globalstar system is designed to provide affordable satellite-based
digital voice services to a broad range of subscribers and users.
Globalstar will meet the needs of cellular users and global travelers
who roam outside of cellular coverage areas, as well as residents of
under-served markets who will use Globalstar's fixed-site phones to
satisfy their needs for basic telephony.
Globalstar, led by founding partner Loral Space & Communications, is a
partnership of the world's leading telecommunications service providers
and equipment manufacturers, including Qualcomm Incorporated, AirTouch
Communications, Alcatel, Alenia, China Telecom (HK), DACOM,
Daimler-Chrysler Aerospace, Elsacom (aFinmeccanica Company), France
Telecom, Hyundai, Space Systems/Loral and Vodafone. For more
information, visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com.
Loral Space & Communications (NYSE:LOR) is a high technology company
that primarily concentrates on satellite manufacturing and
satellite-based services, including broadcast transponder leasing and
value-added services, domestic and international corporate data
networks, global wireless telephony, broadband data transmission and
content services, Internet services, and international direct-to-home
satellite services. For more information, visit Loral's web site at
www.loral.com. |
