Company Maintaining Aggressive Launch Schedule to Ensure Timely Service Launch * See our section on Globalstar * Globalstar phones get EU OK

Globalstar today announced the successful launch of an additional four low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites into space, bringing the total number of Globalstar satellites that have been successfully launched to 24. 

Globalstar's satellites, manufactured by prime contractor Space Systems/Loral, were launched on June 10 at 9:48 a.m. EDT aboard a Boeing Delta II launch vehicle from the Cape Canaveral Air Station in Florida.

"With only two more successful launches of four satellites each Globalstar will have the coverage required to initiate a regional roll-out of service in September,'' said Bernard L. Schwartz, chairman and chief executive officer of Globalstar. 

"We are very pleased with the performance of our in-orbit satellites and with the results of our exhaustive systems testing.''

"Hundreds of calls have been placed over the system, in both the satellite and cellular mode, and the call quality is excellent,'' Mr. Schwartz continued. 

"Our service provider partners are fine-tuning their marketing plans and advertising should begin at the end of the summer.''

Increased system testing is the primary reason Globalstar adjusted its launch schedule in April, accelerating a previously procured Delta II from early November. 

Because it can launch Globalstar's satellites into a higher altitude, the Delta II rocket offers the advantage of reducing the time required for orbit raising, and allowing earlier availability of the satellites for additional system tests.

The Globalstar satellites were separated in pairs from the upper stage of the Delta II rocket at an altitude of 1370 kilometers (851 miles) above the Earth. 

Engineers at Globalstar's ground control center in San Jose, Calif., subsequently acquired the satellites using the six Globalstar telemetry command unit gateways located in Aussaguel, France; Yeoju, South Korea; Dubbo, Australia; Bosque Allegre, Argentina; Delareyville, South Africa; and Clifton, Texas. 

During the next 14-17 days, Globalstar engineering teams will raise the satellites to their operational altitude of 1,414 kilometers (877 miles).

Launches will continue through the end of the year, using a combination of Delta and Soyuz launch vehicles. 

Upon completion, the 48-satellite constellation will provide full system capacity and redundancy, backed up by an additional four on-orbit spares.

The Globalstar system is designed to provide affordable satellite-based digital voice services to a broad range of subscribers and users. 

Globalstar will meet the needs of cellular users and global travelers who roam outside of cellular coverage areas, as well as residents of under-served markets who will use Globalstar's fixed-site phones to satisfy their needs for basic telephony.

Globalstar, led by founding partner Loral Space & Communications, is a partnership of the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers, including Qualcomm Incorporated, AirTouch Communications, Alcatel, Alenia, China Telecom (HK), DACOM, Daimler-Chrysler Aerospace, Elsacom (a Finmeccanica Company), France Telecom, Hyundai, Space Systems/Loral and Vodafone. For more information, visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com.

* See our section on Globalstar