Sun, Sep 06, 2009
Upgraded Falcon Rocket To Be The Launch Vehicle For 18
Payloads
ORBCOMM and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) have
reached an agreement for SpaceX to launch 18 ORBCOMM Generation 2
(OG2) satellites to begin as early as the fourth quarter of 2010
through 2014. SpaceX will deliver ORBCOMM's second-generation
satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) for the purpose of supporting
ORBCOMM's existing constellation of satellites, adding new
features, and growing its global Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and
Automatic Identification System (AIS) offerings.
Each new satellite will be equipped with an enhanced
communication payload designed to increase subscriber capacity for
M2M communication up to 12 times over the current satellite
constellation, increase message sizes, and include AIS detection
capability.
SpaceX plans to launch the second-generation satellites on
multiple Falcon 1e launch vehicles, an enhanced version of SpaceX's
Falcon 1 launch vehicle. Most recently, Falcon 1 successfully
delivered the RazakSAT satellite to orbit for ATSB of Malaysia.
Designed from the ground up by SpaceX, the Falcon 1e has upgraded
propulsion, structures and avionics systems in order to further
improve reliability and mass-to-orbit capability.
"ORBCOMM has chosen SpaceX as a launch solution that meets
ORBCOMM's current requirements and potential future launch needs,"
said Marc Eisenberg, Chief Executive Officer of ORBCOMM. "Through
this agreement ORBCOMM has a strategic launch partner that provides
a valuable solution now and in the future."
SpaceX Falcon 1
"SpaceX is pleased to be ORBCOMM's choice for these important
missions," said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. "By
leveraging the flight-proven architecture of the Falcon 1 launch
vehicle, the Falcon 1e will provide the OG2 satellites with a
highly reliable and cost-effective ride to orbit."
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