Alcatel Alenia Awarded Study Contract to Replace Globalstar Satellite Constellation

MILPITAS, Calif., April 5, 2006/Satnews Daily/ — Globalstar has signed a study agreement with Alcatel Alenia Space for the design of the service provider's next generation satellite constellation. Under the agreement Alcatel Alenia Space will conduct a study to evaluate a new Globalstar low-earth orbit or LEO satellite system, designed to replace the company's current constellation.

Alcatel Alenia will perform an analysis of the company's future requirements and propose a conceptual design for a next generation LEO constellation. Alcatel Alenia has a strong appreciation of Globalstar's system requirements, having played a significant role in the design and production of the current Globalstar satellite system.

Pascale Sourisse, president and CEO of Alcatel Alenia Space, said Alcatel is also very pleased to be given the opportunity to participate in Globalstar's future Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) service and to assist with an integrated satellite and terrestrial network.

The current Globalstar constellation provides satellite voice and data service coverage to over 120 countries around the world. The relative proximity of the LEO constellation enables the Globalstar signals to travel quickly, resulting in clear and reliable communications, without any perceptible voice delays. Alcatel Alenia Space participated in the design of the complete first generation Globalstar system and was responsible for the supply of satellite payloads, structures, heat control elements and part of the gateways as well as satellite integration.

Recent Stories:

Alcatel and Lucent Technologies to Merge

Alcatel Alenia to Provide Radar System for Korea’s Kompsat-5 Satellite

Canada’s Ciel Satellite Contracts Alcatel Alenia to Build Ciel-2 Satellite for 2008 Launch

Alcatel Alenia Demos First Emergency Service Based on EGNOS, a Precursor to Galileo