Initial Satellite Constellation Complete
ORBCOMM Global L.P. recently launched eight low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites into their target orbit approximately 508 miles above the earth. This deployment completes ORBCOMM`s initial constellation of 28 satellites. ORBCOMM has also begun placing the eight satellites that were launched on August 2 into commercial service. The first of the eight satellites recently was commissioned, well ahead of the expected schedule. The remaining satellites will be placed into service over the next several weeks.
The satellites are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week from ORBCOMM Network Control Center (NCC) in Dulles, Virginia. The NCC is responsible for managing the ORBCOMM network elements and the United States gateways through telemetry monitoring, system commanding and mission system analysis.
The NCC monitors real-time and back-orbit telemetry from the ORBCOMM satellites as well as provides the tools and information to assist engineering with resolution of satellite and ground anomalies. The center also monitors the gateway earth stations and the status of the ORBCOMM United States message switch and related software.
ORBCOMM provides two-way monitoring, tracking and messaging services through the world`s first low-earth orbit satellite-based communications system. ORBCOMM applications include monitoring of fixed assets such as electric utility meters. Scientific Atlanta offers a fixed site communicator that provides global, two-way data messaging for utility automation and other fixed-site data collection applications using the ORBCOMM LEO satellite system.
In a typical scenario, a message sent from a remote subscriber communicator in the United States–either stationary or mobile–is received at the satellite and relayed down to one of four gateway earth stations (GES) that connects the ORBCOMM ground system with the satellites. The GES then relays the message via satellite link or dedicated terrestrial line to the NCC. The NCC routes the message to the final addressee via e-mail, dedicated telephone line or facsimile. Messages originated outside the United States are routed through gateway control centers in the same manner.
