Renew Satellite Constellation in 2025
The operator will pay a total of about $64 million for the first batch of satellites ordered last year from MDA, which supplies the spacecraft housings to Rocket Lab. The $327 million contract with MDA calls for the delivery of 17 satellites in 2025. The production agreement also includes an option for nine additional satellites at $11.4 million each. Apple agreed to reimburse Globalstar 95% of the cost of the constellation, including production and launch costs. And it provided an additional $252 million in loans to Globalstar to cover preliminary costs.
Globalstar Selects SpaceX to Renew Satellite Constellation in 2025
Apple plans to use 85% of the new network’s capacity for the latest generation of iPhones, which can connect to one of 24 existing Globalstar satellites to provide emergency services when cell towers are unavailable. The remaining capacity will be used by Globalstar for its traditional services such as communications for monitoring devices and satellite phones. The company is also exploring the possibility of providing rental services for part of its spectrum for private networks. Analysts see Globalstar’s frequencies as one of the company’s most valuable assets as active negotiations continue with regulators and partners around the world.
