The first four Globalstar worldwide mobile voice and data communications satellites were launched into 1,200km circular orbits aboard a two-stage Boeing Delta II from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 14 February. It was the first launch of a Delta II with four (rather than nine) strap-on solid rocket motors.
The Space Systems/Loral-led Globalstar consortium will offer a fully operational global mobile cellular phone service using 48 satellites and eight in orbit spares early next year after further launches on Delta II, Soyuz and Zenit boosters.
Another four Globalstars will be launched on a Delta II in April, followed by an unprecedented trio of launches of 12 satellites each aboard Ukrainian Zenit boosters from Baikonur in July, September and December. Three Russian Soyuz boosters will launch four satellites each in February, March and April 1999.
Globalstar will follow rival Motorola, which plans to provide global communication services from 23 September. The 45th- 51st Iridium satellites were launched by a Delta II from Vandenberg AFB, California, on 18 February.
Source: Flight International
