DULLES, Va.-Orbcomm Global L.P. reached a major milestone in its plan to provide global satellite communications service with the successful launch of eight low-earth-orbit satellites this morning, completing the company’s initial constellation of 28 birds.
An Orbital Sciences Corp. L-1011 aircraft flew the Pegasus rocket carrying the eight satellites from NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility in Virginia to a point about 50 miles off the coast. The Pegasus was released at 1: 06 a.m. EDT, and about 75 minutes after that, the satellites accurately separated from the rocket into orbit.
When these new satellites become operational, Orbcomm plans to offer commercial services in the United States and most other regions around the world. Orbcomm already has begun bringing into commercial service eight other satellites that were launched August 2. Initial communications with the satellites launched today progressed as expected, said Orbcomm.
Orbcomm has distribution agreements that cover more than 100 countries and reach 85 percent of the company’s addressable market, said Scott L. Webster, Orbcomm chairman and chief executive officer.
