Satellite Technology Feature Article
August 27, 2008
Thales Alenia Space Begins Testing Globalstar Satellites
By Shireen Dee, TMCnet Contributor
Globalstar (News - Alert) recently announced the commencement of the production assembly, integration and testing of the first Globalstar second-generation flight model satellites by satellite manufacturer, Thales (News - Alert) Alenia Space. The resulting new satellite is expected to release within a year and will be used for the development of advanced mobile satellite voice and data services by Globalstar.
“For more than a decade, our talented engineers and operations personnel have been working with the highly skilled team of satellite and launch experts from Thales Alenia Space, Arianespace (News - Alert) and their Soyuz partners,'' remarked Tony Navarra, president of space operations and engineering for Globalstar.
“This first-generation legacy helped lead to the manufacture of our current constellation plus eight successful Globalstar Soyuz launches. Today's announcement and manufacturing tour clearly demonstrate we're on track to meet our second-generation launch schedule. We are doing exactly what we set out to do and we are doing so on time and on budget. We want to thank Thales Alenia Space, Arianespace and all their sub-contractors for helping us meet our aggressive timetable to deploy Globalstar's next-generation network and the advanced wireless voice and data services that it will bring,” Navarra added.
While the contract for designing, manufacturing and delivering 48 second-generation satellites was signed by Globalstar and Thales Alenia Space in November 2006, another contract for the launch of the second-generation satellites was signed by both Globalstar and launch provider Arianespace in September 2007.
“We are very proud to have been chosen by Globalstar, Inc. for this major program,'' commented Blaise Jaeger, Thales Alenia Space executive vice president and general manager.
The launch of these satellites is scheduled to take place in the second half of 2009 and the reliable human-rated Soyuz launch vehicle which has earlier successfully launched 32 of Globalstar’s satellites will again be used for these new launches.
“Since February 1999, Arianespace has had the privilege, through its Starsem affiliate, of launching 32 satellites of the Globalstar fleet. Last year, we were honored to have been entrusted by Globalstar with launching its second-generation constellation. In 2009, this decade-old relationship with Globalstar is expected to continue in French Guiana, when Arianespace will deliver to orbit another six Globalstar satellites on the world's most reliable launch vehicle, the Soyuz. Arianespace stands ready with a proven guarantee of ‘Service and Solutions' to help Globalstar meet its goals,” stated Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and chief executive officer of Arianespace.
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Shireen Dee is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Shireen's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Michelle Robart
