Globalstar - Satellites - Globalstar's Second-generation Satellites

Globalstar's Second-generation Satellites

In December 2006, Globalstar announced that Alcatel Alenia Space, now Thales Alenia Space in its Cannes headquarters, has been awarded a €661 million contract for the second-generation 48 satellite constellation.

The satellites are being designed with a life expectancy of 15 years, significantly longer than the design life of Globalstar’s first-generation constellation.

In addition, Globalstar announced on April 3, 2007 that it has signed a €9 million agreement with Thales Alenia Space to upgrade the Globalstar satellite constellation, including necessary hardware and software upgrades to Globalstar’s satellite control network facilities.

In August 2008 Thales Alenia Space began production assembly, integration and testing of the second-generation flight model satellites, in its Rome factory, for launch as early as Q3 2009.

In July 2009, Globalstar, Inc. announced that it has received complete financing for its second-generation satellite constellation and signed an amendment to the initial contract, specifying in particular the adjusted conditions for production and the new satellite delivery timetable.

The first six second-generation satellites were launched on October 19, 2010, using a Soyuz launcher from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. These second-generation satellites are expected to provide Globalstar customers with satellite voice and data services until at least 2025. Six more second-generation satellites were launched in July 2011 followed by another six satellites in December 2011. As of July 16th, 2012, 18 of 24 new satellites have been launched and additional satellites are planned for launch in the fall.