The Globalstar global mobile communications network offers global, digital real time voice, data and fax via a constellation minisatellites. The constellation operates in a 1410 km orbit inclined at 52 degrees.
Alcatel Alenia Space announced in December 2006 it has signed a Euro 661 million
contract with Globalstar, Inc., a provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to
businesses, government and individuals, to provide their second-generation satellite
constellation. Per this contract, Alcatel Alenia Space, as prime contractor, will design,
manufacture and deliver 48 low-earth-orbit (LEO) Globalstar -satellites as well as launch
support services prior to and during the launches and mission operations support.
This definitive contract occurs a few weeks after the preliminary contract
(Authorization To Proceed) signature aimed at defining the program readiness review and
developing program milestones.
With a launch mass of approximately 700 kg and an end-of-life power of 1.7 kW,
Globalstar satellites will be fitted with 16 transponders from C- to S-band and 16 receivers from L- to C-band.
Starting in 2010, Globalstar satellites were launched by 6 to 8 at the same time and
will have a lifetime of 15 years. The satellites will be deployed into a 920 km, 52° phasing orbit, from where they will raise themselves to the operational 1410 km, 52° orbit.
This agreement will involve Alcatel Alenia Space's production sites in France,
Italy, Spain and Belgium. Globalstar's second-generation satellites will be assembled
and integrated in Alcatel Alenia Space facility in Roma (Italy). The payloads will be
provided by the company's facility in Toulouse (France); the structures as well as
the thermal subsystems being provided by its facility in Cannes (France).
Alcatel Alenia Space participated in the design of the complete first generation system
and was responsible for the supply of satellites payloads, structures, thermal subsystems
as well as the complete satellite integration. The company was also responsible for
manufacturing and installing the Globalstar ground station antenna terminals.
The first batch of a proto-flight unit and 24 satellites was ordered in 2006. The proto-flight unit was upgraded to a flight unit. A second batch of 24 satellites was planned but eventually reduced to 6 in September 2012 due to financial issues. IApparently no valid contract for these 6 satellites was eventually signed.
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