Orbcomm (satellite)
Encyclopedia
Orbcomm satellites are low Earth orbit
communications satellite
s, operated by the United States
satellite communications company Orbcomm, Inc.
As of 2008, 44 such satellites are in orbit.
Orbcomm-X, also known as Datacomm-X, was launched in 1991. It carried communications and GPS experiments, but failed to contact or respond to ground controllers after launch.
CDS-3 is an operational satellite, launched in 2008, which also carries experiments for relaying signals from the United States Coast Guard
Automatic Identification System
through the satellite constellation. As an operational satellite, it is designated Orbcomm FM-29, the designation of an unlaunched satellite, which later became TacSat-1
.
for the United States
military.
The satellites experienced a power system anomaly, and Orbcomm said it believes that all of six of the satellites launched eventually will fail and that the company will be unable to recover them.
, using Falcon 1
e rockets.
The first two second-generation messaging service satellites will be launched in 2011 as secondary payload on a SpaceX
Falcon 9
flight on which the primary mission contractor is NASA (second demonstration test launch
of the Dragon spacecraft).
"The ORBCOMM OG2 satellites are being manufactured by an industry team led by Sierra Nevada Corp
and Boeing
’s Argon ST
subsidiary. A total of 18 ORBCOMM next-generation OG2 satellites are currently in production. ORBCOMM OG2 satellites will offer enhanced ORBCOMM messaging capabilities, increased capacity, and automatic identification systems
(AIS) service. The planned Falcon 9 launch will place ORBCOMM’s first two OG2 satellites into a 52° inclined 350 by 750 km insertion orbit. The satellites’ onboard propulsion systems will then be used to circulize the orbit at 750 kilometres (466 mi)."
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
communications satellite
Communications satellite
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications...
s, operated by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
satellite communications company Orbcomm, Inc.
Orbcomm
ORBCOMM is a company that offers M2M global asset monitoring and messaging services from its constellation of 29 LEO communications satellites orbiting at 775 km. Like its voice-centric competitors Iridium and Globalstar, it filed for Chapter 11 protection, in September, 2000. ORBCOMM issued...
As of 2008, 44 such satellites are in orbit.
Orbcomm-CDS
Orbcomm-CDS (Concept or Capability Demonstration Satellites) are spacecraft which were launched to test equipment and communication techniques used by the other satellites. The first three CDS satellites, Orbcomm-X, CDS-1 and CDS-2, were launched before any operational satellites, in order to validate the systems to be used in the operational constellation.Orbcomm-X, also known as Datacomm-X, was launched in 1991. It carried communications and GPS experiments, but failed to contact or respond to ground controllers after launch.
CDS-3 is an operational satellite, launched in 2008, which also carries experiments for relaying signals from the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Automatic Identification System
Automatic Identification System
The Automatic Identification System is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by Vessel traffic services for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships and AIS Base stations...
through the satellite constellation. As an operational satellite, it is designated Orbcomm FM-29, the designation of an unlaunched satellite, which later became TacSat-1
TacSat-1
TacSat-1 is an experimental satellite built by the Naval Research Laboratory on behalf of the United States Department of Defense Office of Force Transformation . The second satellite in the series, TacSat-2, has already been launched. It is the planned payload of the sixth launch of the SpaceX...
.
Orbcomm-1
Orbcomm-1 satellites make up most of the current Orbcomm constellation. 43 were built, of which 35 were launched, and one more, Orbcomm FM-29, was rebuilt as TacSat-1TacSat-1
TacSat-1 is an experimental satellite built by the Naval Research Laboratory on behalf of the United States Department of Defense Office of Force Transformation . The second satellite in the series, TacSat-2, has already been launched. It is the planned payload of the sixth launch of the SpaceX...
for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military.
Orbcomm-QL
Orbcomm Quick Launch (QL) satellites are satellites which were intended to replenish the constellation. The first five such satellites were launched in 2008, with at least one more to follow at a later date. The satellites are based on the CDS-3 satellite, which was launched on the same rocket as the first five QL spacecraft. The sixth will be launched as a secondary payload to a Russian Government satellite, also on a Kosmos-3M. Orbcomm holds options for two further satellites.The satellites experienced a power system anomaly, and Orbcomm said it believes that all of six of the satellites launched eventually will fail and that the company will be unable to recover them.
Orbcomm-G2
Orbcomm Generation 2 (OG2) satellites are intended to supplement and eventually replace the current first generation constellation. , eighteen satellites had been ordered, which were planned to be launched in three groups of six between 2010 and 2014. At that time, Orbcomm held options for a further thirty OG2 spacecraft. The satellites will be launched by SpaceXSpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or more popularly and informally known as SpaceX, is an American space transport company that operates out of Hawthorne, California...
, using Falcon 1
Falcon 1
The Falcon 1 is a partially reusable launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX, a space transportation company in Hawthorne, California. The two-stage-to-orbit rocket uses LOX/RP-1 for both stages, the first powered by a single Merlin engine and the second powered by a single Kestrel engine...
e rockets.
The first two second-generation messaging service satellites will be launched in 2011 as secondary payload on a SpaceX
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or more popularly and informally known as SpaceX, is an American space transport company that operates out of Hawthorne, California...
Falcon 9
Falcon 9
Falcon 9 is a rocket-powered spaceflight launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX. Both stages of its two-stage-to-orbit vehicle use liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene propellants...
flight on which the primary mission contractor is NASA (second demonstration test launch
COTS Demo Flight 2
Dragon C2, also known as COTS Demo Flight 2, is a planned second test-flight for SpaceX's unpiloted Dragon cargo spacecraft, and the third overall flight for the company's two-stage Falcon 9 launch vehicle....
of the Dragon spacecraft).
"The ORBCOMM OG2 satellites are being manufactured by an industry team led by Sierra Nevada Corp
Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation is an electronic systems provider and systems integrator specializing in microsatellites, energy, telemedicine, nanotechnology, and commercial orbital transportation services. The company contracts with the US military, NASA and private spaceflight companies. The company...
and Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
’s Argon ST
Argon ST
Argon ST is a systems engineering and development company headquartered in Fairfax, VA providing C4ISR solutions to a wide range of customers...
subsidiary. A total of 18 ORBCOMM next-generation OG2 satellites are currently in production. ORBCOMM OG2 satellites will offer enhanced ORBCOMM messaging capabilities, increased capacity, and automatic identification systems
Automatic Identification System
The Automatic Identification System is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by Vessel traffic services for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships and AIS Base stations...
(AIS) service. The planned Falcon 9 launch will place ORBCOMM’s first two OG2 satellites into a 52° inclined 350 by 750 km insertion orbit. The satellites’ onboard propulsion systems will then be used to circulize the orbit at 750 kilometres (466 mi)."
Launches
| Launch Date/Time (GMT) | Carrier Rocket | Launch Site | Satellite | Alternative Designation |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01:46, 17 July 1991 | Ariane 4 Ariane 4 Ariane 4 was an expendable launch system, designed by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales and manufactured and marketed by its subsidiary Arianespace. Ariane 4 was justly known as the ‘workhorse’ of the Ariane family. Since its first flight on 15 June 1988 until the last, on 15 February 2003, it... (40) |
ELA-2 ELA-2 ELA-2, short for Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 2 , was a launch pad at the Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana. It was used by Arianespace for all 116 Ariane 4 launches between 1988 and 2003. Following the retirement of the Ariane 4 in favour of the Ariane 5, ELA-2 was deactivated... , CSG |
Orbcomm-X | Datacomm-X | Failed to contact ground |
| 14:30, 9 February 1993 | Pegasus Pegasus rocket The Pegasus rocket is a winged space launch vehicle capable of carrying small, unmanned payloads into low Earth orbit. It is air-launched, as part of an expendable launch system developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation . Three main stages burning solid propellant provide the thrust... |
NB-52B B-52 Stratofortress The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service... , KSC Kennedy Space Center The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program... SLF |
Orbcomm CDS-1 | OXP | No longer operational |
| 13:56, 25 April 1993 | Pegasus Pegasus rocket The Pegasus rocket is a winged space launch vehicle capable of carrying small, unmanned payloads into low Earth orbit. It is air-launched, as part of an expendable launch system developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation . Three main stages burning solid propellant provide the thrust... |
NB-52B B-52 Stratofortress The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service... , Edwards AFB |
Orbcomm CDS-2 | VSUME | No longer operational |
| 13:48, 3 April 1995 | Pegasus-H Pegasus rocket The Pegasus rocket is a winged space launch vehicle capable of carrying small, unmanned payloads into low Earth orbit. It is air-launched, as part of an expendable launch system developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation . Three main stages burning solid propellant provide the thrust... |
L-1011 Lockheed L-1011 The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, commonly referred to as the L-1011 or TriStar, is a medium-to-long range, widebody passenger trijet airliner. It was the third widebody airliner to enter commercial operations, following the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. Between 1968 and 1984, Lockheed... , Vandenberg AFB |
Orbcomm-F1 | FM1 | No longer operational |
| Orbcomm-F2 | FM2 | No longer operational | |||
| 19:11, 23 December 1997 | Pegasus-XL Pegasus rocket The Pegasus rocket is a winged space launch vehicle capable of carrying small, unmanned payloads into low Earth orbit. It is air-launched, as part of an expendable launch system developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation . Three main stages burning solid propellant provide the thrust... /HAPS Haps Haps is a village in the Dutch province of North Brabant. It is located in the municipality of Cuijk, about 5 km south of the town of Cuijk.Haps was a separate municipality until 1994, when it became a part of Cuijk.... |
L-1011 Lockheed L-1011 The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, commonly referred to as the L-1011 or TriStar, is a medium-to-long range, widebody passenger trijet airliner. It was the third widebody airliner to enter commercial operations, following the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. Between 1968 and 1984, Lockheed... , Wallops Island Wallops Island Wallops Island is a island off the east coast of Virginia, part of the barrier islands that stretch along the eastern seaboard of the United States of America.It is located in Accomack County, Virginia... |
Orbcomm-A1 | FM5 | |
| Orbcomm-A2 | FM6 | ||||
| Orbcomm-A3 | FM7 | ||||
| Orbcomm-A4 | FM8 | ||||
| Orbcomm-A5 | FM9 | ||||
| Orbcomm-A6 | FM10 | ||||
| Orbcomm-A7 | FM11 | ||||
| Orbcomm-A8 | FM12 | ||||
| 13:20, 10 February 1998 | Taurus Taurus rocket Taurus is a four stage, solid fuel launch vehicle built in the United States by Orbital Sciences Corporation. It is based on the air-launched Pegasus rocket from the same manufacturer. The Taurus rocket is able to carry a payload of around 1,350 kg into a low Earth orbit. First launched in 1994,... |
LC-576E, Vandenberg AFB | Orbcomm-G1 | FM3 | No longer operational |
| Orbcomm-G2 | FM4 | ||||
| 16:24, 2 August 1998 | Pegasus-XL Pegasus rocket The Pegasus rocket is a winged space launch vehicle capable of carrying small, unmanned payloads into low Earth orbit. It is air-launched, as part of an expendable launch system developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation . Three main stages burning solid propellant provide the thrust... /HAPS Haps Haps is a village in the Dutch province of North Brabant. It is located in the municipality of Cuijk, about 5 km south of the town of Cuijk.Haps was a separate municipality until 1994, when it became a part of Cuijk.... |
L-1011 Lockheed L-1011 The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, commonly referred to as the L-1011 or TriStar, is a medium-to-long range, widebody passenger trijet airliner. It was the third widebody airliner to enter commercial operations, following the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. Between 1968 and 1984, Lockheed... , Wallops Island Wallops Island Wallops Island is a island off the east coast of Virginia, part of the barrier islands that stretch along the eastern seaboard of the United States of America.It is located in Accomack County, Virginia... |
Orbcomm-B1 | FM13 | |
| Orbcomm-B2 | FM14 | ||||
| Orbcomm-B3 | FM15 | ||||
| Orbcomm-B4 | FM16 | ||||
| Orbcomm-B5 | FM17 | No longer operational | |||
| Orbcomm-B6 | FM18 | ||||
| Orbcomm-B7 | FM19 | ||||
| Orbcomm-B8 | FM20 | ||||
| 05:06, 23 September 1998 | Pegasus-XL Pegasus rocket The Pegasus rocket is a winged space launch vehicle capable of carrying small, unmanned payloads into low Earth orbit. It is air-launched, as part of an expendable launch system developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation . Three main stages burning solid propellant provide the thrust... /HAPS Haps Haps is a village in the Dutch province of North Brabant. It is located in the municipality of Cuijk, about 5 km south of the town of Cuijk.Haps was a separate municipality until 1994, when it became a part of Cuijk.... |
L-1011 Lockheed L-1011 The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, commonly referred to as the L-1011 or TriStar, is a medium-to-long range, widebody passenger trijet airliner. It was the third widebody airliner to enter commercial operations, following the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. Between 1968 and 1984, Lockheed... , Wallops Island Wallops Island Wallops Island is a island off the east coast of Virginia, part of the barrier islands that stretch along the eastern seaboard of the United States of America.It is located in Accomack County, Virginia... |
Orbcomm-C1 | FM21 | |
| Orbcomm-C2 | FM22 | ||||
| Orbcomm-C3 | FM23 | ||||
| Orbcomm-C4 | FM24 | ||||
| Orbcomm-C5 | FM25 | ||||
| Orbcomm-C6 | FM26 | No longer operational | |||
| Orbcomm-C7 | FM27 | ||||
| Orbcomm-C8 | FM28 | No longer operational | |||
| 18:53, 4 December 1999 | Pegasus-XL Pegasus rocket The Pegasus rocket is a winged space launch vehicle capable of carrying small, unmanned payloads into low Earth orbit. It is air-launched, as part of an expendable launch system developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation . Three main stages burning solid propellant provide the thrust... /HAPS Haps Haps is a village in the Dutch province of North Brabant. It is located in the municipality of Cuijk, about 5 km south of the town of Cuijk.Haps was a separate municipality until 1994, when it became a part of Cuijk.... |
L-1011 Lockheed L-1011 The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, commonly referred to as the L-1011 or TriStar, is a medium-to-long range, widebody passenger trijet airliner. It was the third widebody airliner to enter commercial operations, following the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. Between 1968 and 1984, Lockheed... , Wallops Island Wallops Island Wallops Island is a island off the east coast of Virginia, part of the barrier islands that stretch along the eastern seaboard of the United States of America.It is located in Accomack County, Virginia... |
Orbcomm-D2 | FM30 | |
| Orbcomm-D3 | FM31 | ||||
| Orbcomm-D4 | FM32 | No longer operational | |||
| Orbcomm-D5 | FM33 | No longer operational | |||
| Orbcomm-D6 | FM34 | ||||
| Orbcomm-D7 | FM35 | ||||
| Orbcomm-D8 | FM36 | ||||
| 06:36, 19 June 2008 | Kosmos-3M | Site 107, Kapustin Yar Kapustin Yar Kapustin Yar is a Russian rocket launch and development site in Astrakhan Oblast, between Volgograd and Astrakhan. Known today as Znamensk , it was established 13 May 1946 and in the beginning used technology, material, and scientific support from defeated Germany... |
Orbcomm CDS-3 | FM29 | No longer operational |
| Orbcomm-QL1 | FM37 | No longer operational | |||
| Orbcomm-QL2 | FM38 | No longer operational | |||
| Orbcomm-QL3 | FM39 | No longer operational | |||
| Orbcomm-QL4 | FM40 | No longer operational | |||
| Orbcomm-QL5 | FM41 | No longer operational | |||