ORBCOMM Signs Next Generation Satellite Cnstellation Contract

ORBCOMM Inc. , a leading global satellite data communications company providing two-way Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications, today announced that it has signed a next generation satellite constellation contract with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to build 18 new ORBCOMM Generation 2 (OG2) satellites with an option to purchase up to 30 additional OG2 satellites to augment and upgrade ORBCOMM's existing satellite constellation.

SNC has 30 days to select from two ORBCOMM-approved payload providers. Each OG2 satellite will be equipped with 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. The OG2 satellites will be backward compatible so that existing subscriber communicators will function seamlessly with the OG2 satellites.

ORBCOMM anticipates selecting the launch vehicle within 12 months and plans to launch the 18 OG2 satellites in three separate missions of six satellites each between 2010 and 2011 .

The total contract value for the 18 spacecraft is $117 million.