New Orbcomm Satellites To Launch in April, November

摘要

Satellite machine-to-machine (M2M) messaging services provider Orbcomm on March 3 said its long-delayed second-generation satellite constellation is now scheduled for launch on two Falcon 9 rockets operated by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., the first in late-April and the second in November. The first of the two launches, which is now second in SpaceX's 2014 manifest behind a NASA-purchased cargo delivery run to the international space station, scheduled for mid-March, will carry six second-generation Orbcomm satellites. The second, set for November, will carry the remaining 11 satellites, Orbcomm Chief Executive Marc J. Eisenberg said. In a presentation to an investor conference organized by Raymond James investment advisers, Eisenberg said the first six satellites will plug a hole in Orbcomm's current coverage, which is being provided by a first-generation constellation that is well beyond its original design life.