| Globalstar next generation nears launch2010.10.08 |
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| Globalstar next generation nears launch (Oct 8 2010) Globalstar reports that all six satellites for its upcoming launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome have been integrated on the Soyuz dispenser system, ahead of the October 19 Arianespace launch mission. The second-generation Globalstar spacecraft were installed in sequence on the two segments of this 6.7-metre conical-shaped dispenser, which were then assembled together on September 29. The 700kg satellites are larger and heavier than the first-generation platforms in Globalstar's orbital constellation. A total of 32 first-generation satellites were launched by Starsem on eight Soyuz flights from 1999 to 2007, with those missions each carrying four 450kg spacecraft. The new dispenser that will make its debut during the October 19 launch is evolved from the system used on previous missions, and is produced in two segments. A pair of Globalstar satellites is mounted on the dispenser's upper segment, with both to be released at 98.6 minutes into the flight. The other four payloads are installed on the lower section, and will be deployed simultaneously 1.67 minutes later. Arianespace designed the Soyuz dispenser system, which is produced by Astrium and weighs 630 kg. Its two conical sections are manufactured in composite materials, with aluminium rings positioned at the bottom, middle and top that contain attach points for the satellites. Stephane Mespoulet, Arianespace's project manager for the dispenser, said the integration of all six second-generation satellites went smoothly in the payload preparation facilities at Baikonur Cosmodrome. Completion of the satellite installation allows the dispenser and its payloads to be mated atop the Soyuz Fregat upper stage prior to launch. Globalstar has contracted four Soyuz launches to carry six of its second-generation satellites each. Globalstar has also recently reported the completion of hardware and software updates to three ground monitoring control centres, the Globalstar data network and system planning centre ahead of the launch. The company has installed satellite telemetry and command unit (TCU) upgrades to seven of its satellite gateway ground stations to operate with its new satellites. TCU upgrades were installed at gateway ground stations in Argentina, Australia, Botswana, France, Korea, and the United States. The upgrades are designed to provide Globalstar with the capability to globally monitor and control the orbital deployment of the second-generation constellation. "The updates to our ground monitoring control centres, data network and system planning centre and the TCU gateway upgrades complete the final ground network installation milestones required for the launch of our new satellites," said Peter Dalton, CEO, Globalstar. "Once our new constellation is fully deployed next year, we expect to once again reliably provide the world's finest quality mobile satellite voice and fastest mobile satellite handset data services to commercial and government customers around the world." The telemetry and command unit upgrades were provided and installed by Thales Alenia Space, the manufacturer of Globalstar's new second-generation satellites. The new constellation combined with the enhanced ground network, expected to be installed by 2012, is designed to provide increased data speeds of up to 256 kbps in a flexible internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) configuration. DigitalShip / 2010 10 08 |
