Orbital Science's Orbital Communications has been granted permission by the US Government's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase the number of its planned operational systems of Orbcomm data messaging satellites from 36 to 48.
Twelve Orbcomm satellites have so far been launched, 10 aboard OSC Pegasus boosters and two on the company's second Taurus launcher on 10 February.
The E-SAT/Echostar low Earth orbit (LEO) data messaging satellite system, E-SAT, has now been authorised by the FCC, clearing the way for two launches of three satellites each on the Russian/ German Eurockot booster.
Source: Flight International