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."
More News
Hold Procedure A predetermined maneuver which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operatio>[...]
Altitude Readout An aircraft’s altitude, transmitted via the Mode C transponder feature, that is visually displayed in 100-foot increments on a radar scope having readout cap>[...]
Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]
Also: Skydio Chief, Uncle Sam Sues, Dash 7 magniX, OR UAS Accelerator US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight>[...]
"The need for innovation at speed and scale is greater than ever. The X-62A VISTA is a crucial platform in our efforts to develop, test and integrate AI, as well as to establish AI>[...]