I expected more from this news, but if the launching failed we would be S.O.L.
Monday December 6, 10:41 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: ORBCOMM
ORBCOMM Successfully Launches Seven Additional
Satellites
ORBCOMM's Constellation of LEO Satellites Provides Data Communications Service to More
Than 300 Companies Around the Globe
DULLES, Va., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- ORBCOMM Global, L.P. (ORBCOMM), the first commercial provider of global
low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite data and messaging communications services, today announced the successful launch of seven
new satellites on Saturday, December 4, 1999. This launch brings ORBCOMM's constellation to 35 satellites and will further
enhance coverage in geographic regions including the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, South America, South Africa and
many other regions around the globe.
Preliminary information gathered by satellite controllers at ORBCOMM's Network Control Center indicates that all seven of
the most recently launched satellites separated normally from their launch vehicle and initial communications with the satellites
are progressing as expected. Orbital Sciences Corporation's L-1011 aircraft carrying the Pegasus rocket took off from
NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility in Virginia at 12:55 p.m. (EST). The aircraft flew some 50 miles off the Virginia coast to
a predetermined point at an altitude of about 40,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, where the Pegasus rocket was released at
1:53 p.m. Approximately 53 minutes later, the seven ORBCOMM satellites were accurately injected into their target orbit,
approximately 510 miles above the Earth.
The team of Orbital and ORBCOMM engineers will continue to conduct a series of tests over the next several days to confirm
that the satellites are operating as planned and to make any necessary adjustments. Following this initial evaluation phase, the
engineering team will conduct more comprehensive testing in preparation for placing the satellites into commercial service.
``The addition of these satellites to our constellation represents an important upgrade of ORBCOMM's capabilities,' said Scott
L. Webster, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ORBCOMM. ``ORBCOMM is a revolutionary new communications
tool that gives customers a competitive advantage in a crowded marketplace. I am proud of our team's accomplishments to
date and excited about realizing the potential of LEO satellite communications.'
The ORBCOMM satellites were produced by Orbital in its Dulles, VA, and Germantown, MD, facilities. These satellites are
designed for high performance, reliability and long life expectancy in the harsh environment of space. They have advanced
digital signal processing technology, enhancing the satellites' ability to receive small data packets from sensors in vehicles,
containers, vessels and fixed sites, and relay them through the ORBCOMM system.
ORBCOMM currently has 17 service distribution partners covering 190 countries, more than 150 value-added resellers and a
list of high profile clients including Schneider National, J.B. Hunt, Asea Brown Boveri (ABB), Atlas Van Lines, CSX, BNSF
Railway, the U.S. Army and Caterpillar.
ORBCOMM provides two-way monitoring, tracking and messaging services through the world's first low-Earth orbit
satellite-based data communications system. ORBCOMM applications include tracking of mobile assets such as trailers,
containers, rail cars, heavy equipment, fishing vessels, barges and government assets; monitoring of fixed assets such as electric
utility meters, oil and gas storage tanks, wells and pipelines and environmental projects; and messaging services for consumers
and commercial and government entities.
ORBCOMM is a partnership owned by Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB - news) and Teleglobe Inc. of Canada.
Teleglobe is listed on the NYSE, TSE (Toronto Stock Exchange) and ME (Montreal Exchange) under the TGO symbol.
Orbital is a space technology company that designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of space products and
satellite-based services. Orbital's experience includes carrying out more than 275 satellite, rocket and space payload missions
during the past 15 years. Teleglobe Inc. is recognized as a world leader in global telecommunications. The Teleglobe network
links North America with more than 240 countries and territories.
This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding ORBCOMM's expected commercial
operations. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and ORBCOMM's actual results and
operations may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. For a description of factors that
may cause ORBCOMM's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements,
please consult the Securities and Exchange Act filings of ORBCOMM Global, L.P.
For more information please contact: Wende Cover of ORBCOMM, 703-406-5774, or email: cover.wende@orbcomm.com
For more information on ORBCOMM services, please call 1-800-ORBCOMM, or visit the ORBCOMM web site at
www.orbcomm.com.
SOURCE: ORBCOMM
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Teleglobe Inc (NYSE:TGO - news)
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