Globalstar Announces Successful Launch of Four Satellites
Final First-Generation Satellites Will Augment the Current
Constellation and Transition to the Globalstar Second-Generation
Satellite Constellation
MILPITAS, Calif., Oct. 22, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc.
(Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data
services to businesses, government, and individuals today announced
that four Globalstar satellites were successfully launched from the
Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using the Soyuz launch vehicle.
These satellites, together with the additional four satellites
launched earlier in May, will augment the current operating
constellation and provide satellite voice and data service through
the launch of the second-generation satellite constellation, which is
scheduled to begin in 2009. The eight satellites launched this year
will then be integrated into the Globalstar second-generation
satellite constellation.
The Globalstar satellites were launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
in Kazakhstan on Sunday, 21 October at 2:12 am local time (8:12 pm
UTC and 1:12 pm October 20 in California), using the Soyuz-Fregat
version of the Soyuz launch vehicle. This is the 1726th successful
launch of the Soyuz family rocket.
Launch services provider Starsem confirmed that the upper stage
accurately injected the four-satellite dispenser into the targeted
low earth orbit of approximately 920 km. Globalstar reports that all
four satellites have been successfully acquired following separation
of the Fregat Upper Stage and release from the satellite dispenser.
While Globalstar is continuing to perform initial satellite in-orbit
tests, the performance of all four spacecraft is nominal at this
time.
"We are extremely pleased to announce the eighth successful
Globalstar satellite launch using the Soyuz launch vehicle," said
Tony Navarra, President of Global Operations for Globalstar, Inc.
"With our final first-generation satellites now safely in orbit we
congratulate all of our Globalstar employees world-wide and thank
launch provider Starsem as well as the prime contractor for the first
generation satellites, Space Systems/Loral, and sub-contractor Thales
Alenia Space for this launch success.
Mr. Navarra added, "Globalstar has invested approximately $120
million to launch these four satellites plus the four satellites
launched earlier this year. We consider these eight satellites to
represent the beginning of our next-generation constellation, because
they will not only help bridge the gap today, but last long into and
seamlessly operate with our second-generation constellation. We are
also pleased that we will continue to use the reliable Soyuz launch
vehicle when we resume our Globalstar launches with our
second-generation spacecraft in 2009."
In December 2006, Globalstar signed a EURO 662 million (approximately
$885 million) contract with Thales Alenia Space for the design,
manufacture and delivery of 48 new satellites for the
second-generation Globalstar satellite constellation. The satellites
are being designed to provide service until at least 2025.
In September, Globalstar signed a contract with European launch
services company Arianespace for the launch of Globalstar's
second-generation LEO (low earth orbit) satellites using the Soyuz
launch vehicle. The agreement provides Globalstar with the ability to
conduct back-to-back launch campaigns and commence launching its
second-generation satellites as early as the summer of 2009 from
Arianespace's Guiana Space Center launch complex located in French
Guiana.
About Globalstar, Inc.
With over 275,000 activated satellite voice and data units,
Globalstar offers satellite services to commercial and recreational
users in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's
voice and data products include mobile and fixed satellite
telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible
service packages. Many land based and maritime industries benefit
from Globalstar with increased productivity from remote areas beyond
cellular and landline service. Global customer segments include: oil
and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities,
military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness,
and business continuity as well as individual recreational users.
Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset tracking, data
monitoring and SCADA applications.
For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar's
web site at www.globalstar.com
Safe Harbor Language for Globalstar Releases
This press release contains certain statements such as "The eight
satellites launched this year will then be integrated into the
Globalstar second-generation satellite constellation," that are
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are
subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond Globalstar's control, including demand for the
Company's products and services; problems relating to the
construction, launch or in-orbit performance of its existing and
future satellites, problems relating to the ground-based facilities
operated by it or by independent gateway operators; its ability to
attract sufficient additional funding if needed to meet its future
capital requirements; competition and its competitiveness vis-a-vis
other providers of satellite and ground-based communications products
and services; the pace and effects of industry consolidation; the
continued availability of launch insurance on commercially reasonable
terms, and the effects of any insurance exclusions; changes in
technology; its ability to continue to attract and retain qualified
personnel; worldwide economic, geopolitical and business conditions
and risks associated with doing business on a global basis; and
legal, regulatory, and tax developments, including changes in
domestic and international government regulation.
Any forward-looking statements made in this press release speak as of
the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual
results or developments may differ materially from the expectations
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and the
Company undertakes no obligation to update any such statements
Additional information on factors that could influence Globalstar's
financial results is included in its filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
CONTACT: Globalstar, Inc.
Dean Hirasawa
+1 (408) 933-4006
Dean.hirasawa@globalstar.com
