Orbital Sciences is preparing to launch its second round of eight LEO birds in support of its OrbComm Global network affiliate. The multiple payload launch with be via Orbital’s main workhorse the Pegasus XL. An initial 15-minute launch window is slated for Sunday August 2, with daily opportunities thereafter.
OrbComm provides two-way monitoring, tracking and messaging services
through the world’s first LEO-based data communications system. Applications include monitoring fixed assets such as electric utility meters, oil tanks, and pipelines and tracking mobile assets such as trucks, trains, heavy equipment, fishing vessels, barges and government assets; while providing messaging services for individuals.
Orbital will launch the OrbComm satellites into a circular orbit at an altitude of 818 kilometers inclined at 45 degrees to the equator. The launch schedule is subject to final preparations and testing, as well as acceptable weather conditions at the launch site.
The eight spacecraft to be launched on this mission will bring the total
number of satellites deployed for the OrbComm network to 20. The launch also represents the third Pegasus mission in 1998 and the 22nd mission overall for the innovative airborne space launch system. The OrbComm mission will originate from the Virginia Space Flight Center, located on Wallops Island in Southeastern Virginia.
The launch sequence is planned to take over one hour, from the time the
Pegasus rocket is released from its carrier aircraft, about 100 nautical miles off the Virginia coast, to the time that the last of the eight satellites is deployed in orbit as it passes over Western Australia. Following the launch, Orbital expects that it will take at least 24 to 48 hours before reliable data can be assembled and reported on the basic status and health of each of the new satellites in the OrbComm network.
About OrbComm
OrbComm Satellites
Orbital is responsible for building and launching 36 low Earth orbit
satellites for its OrbComm Global, L.P. affiliate. OrbComm is developing a global data communications satellite system designed to allow businesses and individuals to send and receive short, low-cost messages anywhere on Earth. Based on Orbital’s flight-proven MicroStar(TM) spacecraft platform, the disc-shaped OrbComm satellites are uniquely designed to be stacked and launched in multiple units on the company’s Pegasus and Taurus rockets, providing cost and schedule benefits. Each satellite weighs approximately 90 pounds and is expected to have an operational life of eight years. Twelve OrbComm satellites are currently in orbit, along with two other MicroStar-based satellites produced for ORBIMAGE and Teledesic, LLC.
Network
The OrbComm network is fully licensed by the U.S. Federal Communications
Commission and is currently providing data communications services throughout North America. OrbComm has also been granted spectrum worldwide by the International Telecommunications Union and has established service distribution arrangements in nearly 100 countries around the world.
