Magellan Systems Corp., a maker of consumer-oriented Global Positioning System and navigation devices, said it will release its Global Satellite Communicator 100 late next month.
The GSC 100 provides global two-way e-mail capability using satellite service provided by Orbcomm. The unit also features a GPS receiver for positioning and navigation, said the company.
Orbcomm’s network relies on three main components: the satellites, ground stations and a communicator such as the GSC 100. The system ultimately will consist of 28 low-earth-orbit satellites.
Magellan said the device will send and receive messages in one of two formats depending on the location of the unit.
A standard message, containing up to 2,000 characters, is sent when the satellite is in sight of both the GSC 100 and earth station. This format is available primarily in and around North America, but as more earth stations are added, standard messages can be sent and received worldwide, said the company.
The second format-a GlobalGram-is sent when the satellite is in sight of the GSC 100 but not the earth station. In this case, the message is stored in the satellite and delivered when the earth station is available. GlobalGrams are limited to about 200 characters.
The handheld GSC 100, which weighs about two pounds, is expected to retail for about $1,000. Text messages will be billed at about 1 cent per character.
The product is targeted at field professionals, outdoorsmen, pilots, international travelers and mariners, said the company.
While the GSC 100 supports only data applications, Magellan offers a device that supports voice, fax and data communications via Inmarsat Series-3 satellites. The satellite phone, called World Phone, is about the size of a notebook computer and weighs about five pounds.
Magellan’s other products include GPS handhelds, car navigation products and high-end navigation systems.
Magellan was incorporated in 1986 as a venture capital startup with the goal of bringing to market a handheld, portable and affordable GPS navigation device. In 1994, Magellan merged with Orbital Sciences Corp., a commercial space products company that is involved in developing the Orbcomm satellite system. Other investors in the Orbcomm system include Teleglobe Inc. of Canada and Technology Resources Industries Bhd. of Malaysia.
In December, Magellan announced a merger agreement with Ashtech Inc., a developer and manufacturer of GPS technology.
