By Julian Goldsmith, 11 September 1998 18:06
NEWS Fledgling telephony provider Globalstar has received a major set back to its network implementation plans after a rocket carrying 12 of its satellites crashed in Kazakstan. The news comes just one day after rival Iridium revealed that it will launch six weeks late following satellite and handset problems. Globalstar's 12 satellites represent approximately 20 per cent of its infrastructure, however the satellites were insured and the company won't have to pay for another launch. Globalstar used Ukrainian Zenit rockets to launch the 12 satellites. The consortium has now said it will choose the Russian Soyuz rocket instead. Ovum senior telecoms consultant Alex Nourouzi feels that both Iridium and Globalstar were over ambitious from the start. "They were both a little optimistic in what they thought they could achieve in the time they had set themselves," he said. "Globalstar may have over estimated what the Zenit rocket can do. Twelve satellites on the back of that rocket is unprecedented - it usually only carries eight."
In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.
Log in or create your silicon.com account below