SpaceX to Launch Orbcomm’s Satellites on Falcon 1e Vehicles

Posted by Sierra Monica B. in Science on 09 4th, 2009 | no responses

Orbcomm is a New Jersey-based global satellite data communications company specialized in developing and providing Machine-to-Machine communication solutions, while SpaceX, also known as Space Exploration Technologies, is a corporation headquartered in California, focused on developing launch vehicles and spacecraft for space transportation. The two have been working together to launch the 18 Orbcomm Generation 2 (OG2) satellites starting the fourth quarter of the next year through 2014.

SpaceX technologies will transport the second generation satellites from Orbcomm into the orbit, enabling new features and improving the Machine-to-Machine and the Automatic Identification System of Orbcomm’s constellation of satellites.
The new satellites will enable enhanced communication capabilities, allowing up to 12 times the subscriber capacity over Machine-to-Machine, increasing the size of the messages and adding the Automatic Identification System support.
They will be launched on several Falcon 1e vehicles, which are the enhanced versions of the SpaceX Falcon 1 that has recently launched the RazakSAT satellite into the orbit. New features of the Falcon 1e include upgrades at the propulsion, structures and avionics systems level.

“SpaceX is pleased to be Orbcomm’s choice for these important missions,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. “By leveraging the flight-proven architecture of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle, the Falcon 1e will provide the OG2 satellites with a highly reliable and cost-effective ride to orbit.”