Russian Soyuz Launches 4 Satellites

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Russian Soyuz Launches 4 Satellites

The Starsem press release is reproduced below:

Starsem successfully launches Globalstar satellites

Evry, May 30, 2007

Globalstar, Inc., a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government, and individuals, and Starsem, the Soyuz Company today announced that four Globalstar satellites were successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using the Soyuz launch vehicle. These satellites, together with the additional four ground spare satellites due to be launched shortly, will augment the current operating constellation and improve the Globalstar quality of two-way voice and data service through the launch of the second generation satellite constellation.

The Globalstar satellites were launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, May 30 at 2:31 am local time (20:31 UTC and 1:31 pm May 29 in California), using the Soyuz-Fregat version of the Soyuz launch vehicle. This is the 1721st successful launch of the Soyuz family rocket.

Starsem confirmed that the upper stage accurately injected the four satellite dispenser into the targeted low Earth orbit of 920 km at 4:18 am local time (22:18 UTC and 3:18 pm May 29 in California). Globalstar reports that all four satellites have been successfully acquired following separation of the Fregat upper stage and release from the satellite dispenser. While Globalstar is continuing to perform initial satellite in-orbit tests, the performance of all four spacecraft is nominal at this time.

"We are absolutely ecstatic about this success and pleased to make this announcement," said Jay Monroe, Chairman & CEO of Globalstar, Inc. "We applaud all of our Globalstar employees world-wide who have worked tirelessly to make this day a reality. We also thank our proven launch services provider Starsem as well as the prime contractor for the first generation satellites, Space Systems Loral, and sub-contractor Thales Alenia Space for this launch success.

Mr. Monroe added, "Today is also a great day for Globalstar stockholders. Globalstar has invested approximately $120 million into the core satellite business in order to launch these four satellites plus the remaining four ground spares. Globalstar considers these eight satellites to represent the beginning of our next-generation constellation, because they will not only help bridge the gap today, but last long into and seamlessly operate with, our second-generation constellation."

In December 2006, Globalstar signed a EURO 661 million (approximately $865 million) contract with Thales Alenia Space for the design, manufacture and delivery of 48 new satellites for the second-generation Globalstar satellite constellation, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the summer of 2009. The satellites are being designed to provide service until at least 2025.

Mr. Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman & CEO of Starsem expressed his satisfaction. "I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Jay Monroe, Chairman & CEO of Globalstar, and to thank Mr. Monroe for the confidence he has shown in Starsem and the Soyuz launcher. The work of Starsem and its Russian partners though is not yet finished and we look forward to our next launch for Globalstar later this summer."

Thales Alenia Space is completing the necessary tests on the remaining four first-generation satellites at its facility in Rome, Italy. These satellites will then be shipped to the launch complex in Baikonur for final pre-launch preparations.

About Globalstar, Inc.
With over 250,000 activated satellite voice and data units, Globalstar offers satellite services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's voice and data products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible service packages. Many land based and maritime industries benefit from Globalstar with increased productivity from remote areas beyond cellular and landline service. Global customer segments include: oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications.

For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com

About Starsem
Starsem is the Soyuz Company, bringing together all key players involved in the production, operation and international commercial marketing of the world's most versatile launch vehicle. Shareholders in Starsem are Arianespace, EADS-Astrium, the Russian Federal Space Agency and the Samara Space Center.

Source: Starsem Press Release

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The Arianespace Mission Update is reproduced below:

May 30, 2007

Arianespace's Starsem affiliate orbits four Globalstar satellites from Baikonur Cosmodrome

The first mission for Arianespace's Starsem affiliate in 2007 has successfully lofted four spacecraft to augment the Globalstar satellite constellation.

The four Globalstar satellites orbited on today's mission are

shown installed on their payload dispenser during final

integration at Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Tonight's flight was Starsem's seventh for Globalstar, and is to be followed by another launch later this year with an additional four Globalstar spacecraft.

"This success was made possible thanks to the reliable Soyuz launch vehicle, whose flawless performance enabled today's launch," said Jean-Yves Le Gall, the Chairman & CEO of Starsem and Arianespace. "Once again, together, we have demonstrated that the Soyuz is an extremely reliable launcher, and definitely a very strong partner of the satellite operators!"

The mission used a Soyuz launcher equipped with a Fregat upper stage, which lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 2:31 a.m. (10:31 p.m. in Paris on May 29, and 1:31 p.m. U.S. Pacific Daylight Time on May 29).

After a 1 hr. 42 min. flight - which included a coast phase of the Fregat upper stage - the four Globalstar spacecraft were delivered into a circular phasing orbit. Each of the satellites weighed approximately 450 kg. at launch

The Globalstar spacecraft cluster was installed on Soyuz using a payload dispenser system that deployed the satellites in a two-step process. Three of the satellites were positioned vertically around the dispenser's center post, while the fourth was installed in a horizontal position atop the dispenser. The top spacecraft was deployed first, followed by the simultaneous release of the three remaining satellites 2 min. 30 sec. later.

Source: Arianespace Mission Updates

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Russian Soyuz Launches 4 Satellites

The Starsem feature story is reproduced below:

Special report: The Globalstar mission in photos

May 31, 2007

Starsem's successful May 30 launch was the first of two missions planned in 2007 for Globalstar. These flights carry a cluster of four Globalstar spacecraft each, which will augment Globalstar's current constellation of relay satellites for two-day voice and data service.

Our photos detail the final preparations for Soyuz at Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome as well as the launch vehicle's liftoff at 4:18 a.m. local time. (Click on the images for a larger version):

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The Soyuz is shown on launch pad no. 6 as it completes the fueling process. The vehicle is surrounded by a service platform, which tilts back to the parked position 30 minutes prior to liftoff. Starsem's May 30 mission was the 1,721st launch of a Soyuz family vehicle.



A close-up photo shows the service tower in position around Soyuz' payload fairing with the four Globalstar satellites. These Globalstar spacecraft were carried by a payload dispenser that positioned three satellites vertically around the dispenser's center post, while the fourth was installed in a horizontal position atop the dispenser.



The Soyuz begins its ascent during the early morning launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome. This was Starsem's seventh mission for Globalstar. The six previous flights were performed between February and November 1999, orbiting a total of 24 satellites - which represented one-half of the original Globalstar constellation

Source: Starsem Feature Story