NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1998-008A
Globalstar FM1 was the first of a planned 52 (48 operational and 4 on-orbit spares) satellites in the Space Systems Loral "Big LEO" global mobile communications network offering global real time voice, data and fax, was launched on a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral. The satellite was 3-axis stabilized and employed magnetometers on a deployable boom, sun sensors, GPS as attitude sensors, and carried two deployable solar arrays delivering 1100 W. The satellites in the first-generation constellation were designed to operate at full performance for a minimum of 7.5 years.
The satellites in the system will be placed into low earth orbit in eight operational planes of six satellites each with a 1,414 kilometer circular orbit inclined at 52 degrees.
Launch Date: 1998-02-14
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7420
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States
Mass: 450 kg
Nominal Power: 1100 W
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office