SAN JOSE, Calif.-Globalstar awarded a contract to Space Systems/Loral for the design and future construction of its 2 GHz satellite system, the company said.
Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Several mobile satellite carriers, including Globalstar, Iridium L.L.C. and New ICO, had until this Wednesday to enter a construction agreement for 2 GHz satellite systems, according to an order issued by the Federal Communications Commission last July.
By July 17, 2003, MSS providers have to complete a critical design review.
The Space Systems/Loral contract calls for a new constellation of 56 low-earth-orbit satellites, supplemented with four geostationary satellites that will provide additional system capacity.
“If we stay on schedule, the first satellites will launch around 2006,” said Mac Jeffery, spokesman for Globalstar. “The launches will be staggered over quite some time.”
Globalstar is expected to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by the end of the year.
