Globalstar, the communications satellite operator, has launched six new satellites to support its voice, duplex and simplex data products and its SPOT retail consumer products.
This is the first of four launches, each of six satellites, aimed at providing a worldwide mobile voice and data services.
Globalstar is currently owned by Thermo Capital Partners. It was formed in 1991 as a joint venture between Loral Corp and Qualcomm with other investors including Alcatel, AirTouch, Deutsche Aerospace, Hyundai and Vodafone and an initial budget of $1.8bn.
Despite an IPO in 1995 which raised $200m, the company went bust in 2002. Thermo Capital Partners then acquired its controlling stake.
The latest batch of satellites were launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using the Soyuz launch vehicle. The satellites were manufactured by Thales Alenia Space.