Wed, Mar 16, 2011
Falcon 9 Rocket To Carry ORBCOMM’s First Two
Next-Generation OG2 Satellites
The first two ORBCOMM next-generation OG2 satellites will be
carried to orbit on the next Falcon 9 launch this year. ORBCOMM and
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) jointly announced the
development Monday.
Falcon 9 is a two-stage launch vehicle powered by liquid oxygen
and rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) capable of delivering 10,450 kg
(23,050 lb) to low-Earth orbit and 4,540 kg (10,000 lb) to
geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). The nine Merlin engines on the
first stage generate more than one million pounds of thrust at
liftoff and allow the launch vehicle to perform as planned even
with one or two of the engines out. Falcon 9 was designed from the
ground up by SpaceX for the reliable and cost-efficient transport
of satellites to low Earth orbit and GTO as well as for sending
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to orbiting destinations such as the
International Space Station.
The ORBCOMM OG2 satellites are being manufactured by an industry
team led by Sierra Nevada Corp and Boeing’s Argon ST
subsidiary. A total of 18 ORBCOMM next-generation OG2 satellites
are currently in production. ORBCOMM OG2 satellites will offer
enhanced ORBCOMM messaging capabilities, increased capacity, and
automatic identification systems (AIS) service. The planned Falcon
9 launch will place ORBCOMM’s first two OG2 satellites into a
52° inclined 350 by 750 km insertion orbit. The
satellites’ onboard propulsion systems will then be used to
circulize the orbit at 750 km.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch site is located at Launch Complex 40 at
the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
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