[Satnews] ORBCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq: ORBC) has announced that SpaceX is planning to conduct the static fire of its Falcon 9 rocket on December 16, 2015, which will launch 11 next generation OG2 satellites as part of ORBCOMM’s second and final OG2 Mission at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Photo of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

Photo is courtesy of SpaceX.

Once the static fire is completed to verify the readiness of the Falcon 9 rocket, ORBCOMM’s second OG2 Mission is targeted to launch about three days later between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m., ET.
 
ORBCOMM’s OG2 satellites are far more advanced than its current OG1 satellites and are designed to provide existing customers with significant enhancements, such as faster message delivery, larger message sizes and better coverage at higher latitudes, while drastically increasing network capacity.

Artistic rendition of an ORBCOMM
OG2 satellite.

Image courtesy of ORBCOMM.

In addition, the OG2 satellites are equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload to receive and report transmissions from AIS-equipped vessels for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts, increasing asset visibility and the probability of detection for ORBCOMM’s AIS customers.