ORBITAL SCIENCES (OSC) will begin a new era in satellite data communications later this month with the launch of the first two Orbcomm satellites aboard the Pegasus XL. Also on board will be the first OSC Microlab piggyback science satellite for NASA.
The Orbcomms, originally scheduled to have been launched in May 1994, are designed to provide global paging, two-way messaging, fleet management and vehicle-tracking services.
A further 24 spacecraft will be launched, three at a time, aboard future Pegasus XL vehicles. The first Pegasus XL launch failed, in June 1994 and cast doubt, on OSC's ability to perform the regular launches it had advertised.
Since 1990, the original Pegasus vehicle has been flown six times, with four successes and two partial successes. The company, which has over 12 contracts from NASA, the US Air Force, the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and other customers, is confident, however, that it can eventually launch one Pegasus vehicle a month.
Source: Flight International
