Globalstar Completes Installation of Upgrades to Its Satellite Operations and Control Centers

Jun 28, 2010

Globalstar, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!gsat/quotes/nls/gsat has installed new hardware and software upgrades at its satellite operations and control center located in Milpitas, CA and its backup control center located in El Dorado Hills, CA. The upgrades, provided by Thales Alenia Space, are required to support the 15-year plus lifespan of the new Globalstar second-generation satellite constellation scheduled for launch beginning in September or early October of this year. The new constellation, also designed and manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, is expected to provide Globalstar customers with mobile satellite voice and data services through beyond 2025.

"With less than four months to go before we begin launching our second-generation satellites I am pleased to announce the completion of another major operational milestone, the installation of our satellite control center upgrades," said Tony Navarra, President, Global Operations for Globalstar, Inc. "As the prime contractor of our new satellite constellation, Thales was uniquely qualified to design, develop and install the necessary hardware and software control center system enhancements. I would like to thank the Thales and Globalstar personnel who together worked tirelessly on the installation of the new upgrades. We are now testing and training our control teams who will manage our first and second-generation satellites using the newly installed in-orbit test equipment until we complete deployment of our new constellation next year."

The Globalstar Satellite Operations and Control Center (SOCC) upgrades were developed using Thales' COTS product called SCC/Open, with customizations specific to the Globalstar mission. Thales is also upgrading the Globalstar's Telemetry and Command Units (TCU) and In Orbit Test (IOT) hardware and software located at the various Globalstar gateway ground stations around the world. Combined with the SOCC improvements, these upgrades provide Globalstar with the capability to administer increased second-generation satellite constellation mission operations command, support and control with minimal expert staffing and maximum task automation.