...updated Distributor Agreement with Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. Under the terms of the Agreement, GTCL will expand its product range to include Globalstar’s unique line-up of high quality satellite voice and duplex data solutions, including satellite phones, airtime plans and accessories. GTCL will offer these products to its diverse customer base, including defense, government, maritime and recreational sectors.
Globalstar is currently planning to launch six satellites in early February 2013. Once deployed, the six satellites will restore full service to Globalstar’s customers and position the Company as the first mobile satellite service provider to deploy a second-generation constellation of Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites. The new satellites are designed to last for 15 years, twice the lifespan of Globalstar's first-generation satellites. Combined with the Company’s suite of consumer retail SPOT products, Globalstar will be uniquely positioned to offer an extensive lineup of reliable and lowest priced mobile satellite services to the broadest range of customers around the globe.
The company also announced Globalstar, Inc. has also announced that its fourth launch of six second generation satellites has been confirmed for February 5, 2013, at the following time:
- 10:20 p.m. Baikonur time
- 08:20 p.m. Moscow time
- 05:20 p.m. Paris time
- 11:20 a.m. Eastern Standard Time
- 10:20 a.m. Central Standard Time
- 08:20 a.m. Pacific Standard Time
This will be the fourth and final launch from the Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, completing Globalstar’s plan to orbit 24 second-generation satellites. Globalstar has previously launched 18 second-generation satellites in launches that occurred on October 19, 2010, July 13, 2011, and December 28, 2011. Globalstar has placed into commercial service all of the previously launched second-generation satellites. The February 5th launch is the last launch necessary to fully restore Globalstar’s Duplex service to the high level of quality that Globalstar’s customers have historically enjoyed. Globalstar’s second-generation satellites were designed and manufactured by Thales Alenia Space with a service life of 15 years, twice that of Globalstar’s first-generation satellites.
Globalstar’s launch services provider, Arianespace, will use the Soyuz Fregat launch vehicle. Globalstar, in association with Arianespace, has previously completed 11 launches using the Soyuz, which is credited with more than 1795 successful launches to date. All six second-generation satellites for the fourth launch have been fueled and mated to the Dispenser, and the Upper Composite has been transferred to the assembly facility near the launch pad where it will be mated to the Soyuz.
Members of Globalstar’s executive management team, including Anthony Navarra, President of the Space Program, and L. Barbee Ponder, General Counsel and Vice President Regulatory Affairs, will attend the launch.