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Globalstar Signs Initial Deal With Alcatel Alenia for Second Generation Leo Satellite Constellation |
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MILPITAS, Calif., Oct. 11, 2006/Satnews Daily/ ― Globalstar, Inc. has signed a $9.65 million (Euro 7.7 million) Authorization to Proceed (ATP) agreement with Alcatel Alenia Space for the company's second generation satellite constellation.
In addition to engaging Alcatel to conduct a program readiness review and to develop program milestones, the ATP provides that Globalstar and Alcatel Alenia Space will negotiate a definitive contract for Alcatel Alenia Space to construct 48 low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites for Globalstar's second-generation satellite constellation.
The ATP terminates the earlier of the signing of a definitive contract and November 15, 2006.
In order to secure the company's future space operations, Globalstar has specified that the planned second-generation constellation be designed to operate until at least 2025 and to seamlessly integrate with the company's current constellation of LEO satellites, while providing the space segment necessary to support significantly higher data speeds and other new services to the handheld devices.
Jay Monroe, chairman and CEO of Globalstar, said the agreement is a crucial first step towards securing the Globalstar space segment and augmenting its present LEO constellation of satellites. “The new constellation is intended also to provide our customers with long term continuity of service by being fully backwards compatible with our current line of products,” he said.
Pascale Sourisse, president and CEO of Alcatel Alenia Space, said the agreement will involve Alcatel Alenia Space's production sites in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. “It highlights Alcatel Alenia Space worldwide leadership in telecommunications satellite orders for the year 2006,” she said.
As a contractor for the first generation of Globalstar satellites, Alcatel Alenia Space was responsible for the satellite payloads, structures, as well as satellite integration. The company was also responsible for manufacturing and installing the Globalstar ground segment gateway antenna terminals.
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