Orbcomm reveals details of OG2 satellites launch
Iain Morris
May 7, 2014
May 7, 2014
Satellite operator Orbcomm has indicated it will launch six next-generation satellites to support enhanced M2M services later this month.
The OG2 satellites will be launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Base on May 10, says the company.
Orbcomm (Rochelle Park, NJ, USA) says the OG2 satellites are far more advanced than the OG1 satellites it currently uses and will provide existing customers with “significant enhancements”, including faster message delivery and better coverage at higher latitudes.
The satellites are also designed to drastically increase network capacity for Orbcomm.
Equipped with a so-called Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload, the satellites will also be able to receive and report transmissions from AIS-equipped vessels for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts, which should lead to an improvement in “asset visibility” for Orbcomm customers.
“Launching our first OG2 mission is an important milestone in advancing our global satellite network to a higher level of performance, coverage and efficiency,” said Marc Eisenberg, Orbcomm’s chief executive. “Our customers are looking forward to our new constellation, which will enhance their M2M applications, as well as new partnerships in the multiple additional markets for which OG2 is well suited.”
The company says it expects to launch another eleven OG2 satellites and enhanced OG2 services in the fourth quarter of 2014 to complete its next-generation constellation.
The OG2 satellites will be launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Base on May 10, says the company.
Orbcomm (Rochelle Park, NJ, USA) says the OG2 satellites are far more advanced than the OG1 satellites it currently uses and will provide existing customers with “significant enhancements”, including faster message delivery and better coverage at higher latitudes.
The satellites are also designed to drastically increase network capacity for Orbcomm.
Equipped with a so-called Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload, the satellites will also be able to receive and report transmissions from AIS-equipped vessels for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts, which should lead to an improvement in “asset visibility” for Orbcomm customers.
“Launching our first OG2 mission is an important milestone in advancing our global satellite network to a higher level of performance, coverage and efficiency,” said Marc Eisenberg, Orbcomm’s chief executive. “Our customers are looking forward to our new constellation, which will enhance their M2M applications, as well as new partnerships in the multiple additional markets for which OG2 is well suited.”
The company says it expects to launch another eleven OG2 satellites and enhanced OG2 services in the fourth quarter of 2014 to complete its next-generation constellation.