NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Globalstar-2 M083, 88, 91, 85, 81 & 89

Launch Time
Wed Dec 28, 2011 17:09 UTC

Flight ST-24.

Rocket

Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat
Image Credit: Roscosmos
Starsem
Status: Active
Price: $23.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 4,550 kN
Payload to LEO: 7,020 kg
Payload to GTO: 2,810 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 46.94 m
Fairing Diameter: 4.11 m
Fairing Height: 10.2 m

Mission Details

Globalstar-2 M083, 88, 91, 85, 81 & 89

Alcatel Alenia Space announced in December 2006 it has signed a Euro 661 million contract with Globalstar, Inc., a provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government and individuals, to provide their second-generation satellite constellation. Per this contract, Alcatel Alenia Space, as prime contractor, will design, manufacture and deliver 48 low-earth-orbit (LEO) Globalstar -satellites as well as launch support services prior to and during the launches and mission operations support.

This definitive contract occurs a few weeks after the preliminary contract (Authorization To Proceed) signature aimed at defining the program readiness review and developing program milestones.

With a launch mass of approximately 700 kg and an end-of-life power of 1.7 kW, Globalstar satellites will be fitted with 16 transponders from C- to S-band and 16 receivers from L- to C-band. Starting in 2010, Globalstar satellites were launched by 6 to 8 at the same time and will have a lifetime of 15 years. The satellites will be deployed into a 920 km, 52° phasing orbit, from where they will raise themselves to the operational 1410 km, 52° orbit.

This agreement will involve Alcatel Alenia Space's production sites in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. Globalstar's second-generation satellites will be assembled and integrated in Alcatel Alenia Space facility in Roma (Italy). The payloads will be provided by the company's facility in Toulouse (France); the structures as well as the thermal subsystems being provided by its facility in Cannes (France).

Payloads: 6
Total Mass: 4,200.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

Site 31/6, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

2011

84th orbital launch attempt

Soyuz 2.1a

10th mission
4th mission of 2011
9th successful mission
6th consecutive successful mission