Globalstar M78

Spacecraft nr:

US spacecraft nr:

Launch data:

Spacecraft data: Prime manufacturer  Alcatel Alenia Space Platform  mod. Proteus Bus Operator  Globalstar Mass at launch  700 kg Dry Mass   kg Basic shape   Dimension (m)   Equipment  16 C-to-S-band transponders, 16 L-to-C-band transponders Solar array  2 deployable solar arrays Stabilization   Propulsion   DC power   2.4 kW (bol), 1.7 kW (eol) Design lifetime  15 yrs

Photo: Arianespace

Photo: Tsenki

Description:

• With a launch mass of approximately 700 kg and an end-of-life power of 1.7 kW, Globalstar satellites will be fitted with 16 transponders from C- to S-band and 16 receivers from L- to C-band. Starting in 2010, Globalstar satellites will be launched by 6 to 8 at the same time and will have a lifetime of 15 years. The satellites will be deployed into a 920 km, 52° phasing orbit, from where they will raise themselves to the operational 1410 , 52° orbit.
• GLOBALSTAR M078 is part of Globalstar's second-generation satellite fleet, which began launching in 2010.

Mission details:

• Six Globalstar low orbit mobile-phone satellites were placed in a 918 x 926 km x 52.0 deg orbit by an Arianespace/Starsem Soyuz-2-1A rocket with a Fregat upper stage on Feb 6, 2013. The Soyuz third stage was suborbital, and the Fregat stage was deorbited shortly after deploying the satellites.

Satellite tracking: