Illustration of OG2 Satellite
MicroSat Systems will build 18 new OG2 Satellites to augment and upgrade ORBCOMM's existing satellite constellation with an option to construct up to 30 additional OG2 satellites.
The OG2 satellites will be based on MicroSat's work on NASA's TacSat-2 mission. Each satellite will cost $6.3 million dollars to build and will be equipped with an enhanced communications payload designed to increase subscriber capacity by up to 12 times over the current ORBCOMM satellites. The satellites will be built in MicroSat's Colorado manufacturing facility. The new constellation is expected to be in orbit by 2011.
SNC, Boeing and ITT will provide oversight, systems engineering, technical management, integration and mission assurance functions to assure the successful performance of the OG2 program.
Payload:
Argon ST will develop and deliver the satellite payloads for the OG2 satellite constellation. Argon ST's payload team will design, develop, and deliver an enhanced communications payload designed to increase subscriber capacity by up to 12 times over the current ORBCOMM satellites. ORBCOMM customers will be able to transmit data over the OG2 satellites at greater speeds and send larger data packets using future modems.
Current Constellation:
ORBCOMM Announces Successful Launch of Six Satellites/ June 19, 2008: The launch of these six spacecraft is part of ORBCOMM's long term plan to expand and upgrade its existing constellation of 29 satellites. In May 2008, ORBCOMM announced that it had signed a $117 million contract with Sierra Nevada Corporation for the design, manufacture and delivery of 18 new satellites, with an option to purchase as many as 30 more. Sierra Nevada has formed a strategic team with subcontractors that include Boeing, ITT, Argon ST and MicroSat. ORBCOMM plans to launch the 18 satellites in three separate missions of six satellites each between 2010 and 2011.
