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Globalstar Launches First Four Satellites
On Track To Initiate Globalstar Telephone Service in Early 1999
Cape Canaveral, Fla., February 14, 1998 -- Globalstar, a new worldwide mobile satellite telephone system, today successfully launched its first four satellites from Cape Canaveral, Fla. The four low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites, manufactured by prime contractor Space Systems/Loral, were launched at 9:34 a.m. EST aboard a Boeing Delta II launch vehicle.
The $2.6 billion Globalstar system, to be comprised of 48 LEO satellites and a global array of approximately 60 ground stations, will allow people around the world to make or receive calls using cellular-sized hand-held, vehicle-mounted and fixed-site terminals. Globalstar is scheduled to launch four more Globalstar satellites aboard another Boeing Delta II launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral, Fla. on April 24, 1998.
Beginning in July, an additional 36 Globalstar satellites will be launched aboard three Ukrainian-built Zenit II launch vehicles (12 satellites per launch) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Globalstar expects to have launched 44 satellites by the end of 1998. The remaining 12 satellites will be launched early in 1999, completing the Globalstar constellation of 48 satellites and eight in-orbit spares
"This is an important milestone for Globalstar," said Bernard L. Schwartz, chairman and chief executive officer of Globalstar and chairman and chief executive officer of Loral Space & Communications, Globalstar's largest equity owner. "It represents a quantum step towards the commencement of service of this leading-edge satellite-based mobile telephone system. The successful launch reinforces our confidence in achieving the scheduled initiation of Globalstar's commercial service in the first quarter of 1999."
Technicians at Globalstar's mission control facility in San Jose, Calif., successfully acquired the satellites' telemetry signals at approximately 10:50 a.m. EST, just 116 minutes after launch. Over the next several days, the satellites will undergo check-out tests and eventually be transferred to their operational altitude of 1410 kilometers.
The Globalstar system has been expressly designed to provide affordable digital voice services to a broad range of subscribers and users. Globalstar will meet the needs of global business travelers and cellular users who roam outside of terrestrial-based cellular coverage, as well as countless millions who will use Globalstar's fixed-site village phones to satisfy their needs for basic telephony.
Globalstar, led by Loral Space & Communications, is a partnership of the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers, including QUALCOMM Incorporated, AirTouch Communications, Alcatel, Alenia, DACOM, Daimler-Benz Aerospace, Elsag Bailey, France Telecom, Hyundai, Space Systems/Loral and Vodafone. Globalstar, through its strategic partnerships, has service provider agreements in 105 countries. To date, Globalstar's service providers have been awarded licenses in over 23 countries. For more information, visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com.
Loral Space & Communications is a high-technology company that concentrates on satellite manufacturing and global satellite-based services. Loral manages and holds a 39 percent equity interest in Globalstar, the global, mobile satellite-based telephony system scheduled for service initiation in the first quarter of 1999. Globalstar is one manifestation of Loral's global strategy to develop communications, information and data networks that will operate in coordination with Loral's extensive C-, Ku- and Ka-band orbital capacity. For more information, visit Loral's web site at www.loral.com.
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