Last Update for 8:30 a.m. EDT. It's all good...
FLORIDA TODAY Space Online
Delta/Globalstar-4 Launch Journal
From countdown through spacecraft separation this page will keep you informed with the
latest on the flight of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying four Globalstar communications
satellites. These updates are prepared by Space Online's Justin Ray.
For complete stories, images and multimedia files from FLORIDA TODAY, as well as
official news releases, see our Space Today page.
Saturday, July 10, 1999
Update for 8:30 a.m. EDT
Ground controllers have established contact with the four Globalstar spacecraft
launched successfully this morning aboard a Boeing Delta 2 rocket from Cape
Canaveral Air Station, Fla. Engineers at Globalstar's ground control center in San
Jose, Calif., 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 two weeks, controllers will raise the satellites' orbits to their operational
altitude.
"We are now only one successful launch away from completing our 32-satellite
constellation, enabling Globalstar to initiate a regional roll-out of service in
September," said Bernard L. Schwartz, chairman and chief executive officer of
Globalstar. "All facets of the system, both in orbit and on the ground, have come
together smoothly."
"Our ground infrastructure is also nearing readiness for commercial launch," Mr.
Schwartz added, "with 8 Globalstar gateways already operational and 19 under
construction. System testing continues to be robust, surpassing our expectations."
The next launch for Globalstar is scheduled for July 24 when another Boeing Delta
2 rocket is scheduled to carry four satellites into low-Earth orbit. That launch will
complete Globalstar's initial constellation of 32 satellites.
This will conclude our Delta/Globalstar-4 Launch Journal.
-Justin Ray |
