LONDON — Globalstar has contracted SpaceX to launch Apple-backed satellites in 2025 to replenish its low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity constellation.
The operator said in an Aug. 30 regulatory filing it can pay a complete $64 million to launch the primary set of satellites ordered last yr from MDA, which is using Rocket Lab to provide chassis for the spacecraft.
While the corporate didn’t give further details concerning the launch agreement, its $327 million contract with MDA covered 17 satellites for deliveries anticipated in 2025. The manufacturing contract also includes an option for as much as nine additional satellites at $11.4 million each.
Apple has agreed to reimburse Globalstar for 95% of the constellation, including manufacturing and launch costs. The smartphone giant can be lending Globalstar $252 million to assist cover upfront costs.
In return, Apple would use 85% of the brand new network’s capability to upgrade satellite services launched last yr for its latest iPhone, which may connect with one among Globalstar’s 24 existing satellites for emergency services when cell towers are out of reach.
Globalstar would use the remainder of the capability for its legacy services, including connectivity for specialised satellite phones and for connecting monitoring and tracking devices.
SpaceX can be trying to provide connectivity on to mass market phones, using the Starlink broadband constellation it operates in LEO.
The corporate is looking for regulatory permission in the USA for more spectrum that may very well be used for a mobile Starlink satellite service, notably including frequencies within the 1.6 GHz and a pair of.4 GHz spectrum bands utilized by Globalstar.
Globalstar can be developing a separate business to lease out a part of its spectrum for personal terrestrial networks.
Analysts including Mike Crawford of B. Riley see the operator’s Band 53 frequencies, a part of S-band, as one among its highest-value assets as talks proceed to with regulators and partners worldwide to unlock its potential.
Recent CEO
Globalstar announced Aug. 29 that David Kagan was retiring as CEO effective immediately to make way for Paul Jacobs, who founded wireless technology specialist XCOM Labs and is a former executive chair of Qualcomm, which builds chips for smartphones and other applications.
Multiple former Qualcomm senior executives are also joining Globalstar, including a former chief technology officer and a former chief scientist for the chipmaker.
In exchange for shares in Globalstar, the satellite operator has entered right into a strategic perpetual licensing agreement with XCOM for exclusive access to all of its cellular technology and mental property.
Globalstar can be getting exclusive access to XCOM’s peer-to-peer connectivity technologies, Crawford noted, which he said could have applications across cellular and satellite devices.