Orbcomm

Orbcomm is a commercial venture to provide global messaging services using a constellation of 26 low-Earth orbiting satellites. The planned system is designed to handle up to 5 million messages from users utilizing small, portable terminals to transmit and receive messages directly to the satellites. The first two satellites of the constellation experienced communications problems after launch, but were recovered and placed into operational status. The nominal 26 satellite constellation will be deployed by 1997, with the potential for an additional 8 satellite plane and two more polar orbiters depending on demands for increased coverage. The vehicles will be controlled from a single control center located in Dulles, Virginia. The cost per satellite has been estimated at $1.2 million. A small forerunner vehicle, Orbcomm-X, was launched in 1991 as a feasibility demonstration. This vehicle had a different design than the operational vehicles and will not be included in the operational system.

Spacecraft
Circular disk shaped spacecraft. Circular panels hinge from each side after launch to expose solar cells. These panels articulate in 1-axis to track the sun and provide 160W. Deployed spacecraft measures 3.6 m feet from end to end with 2.3 m span across the circular disks. VHF telemetry at 57.6 kbps. On-board GPS navigation and timing system. 14 volt power system. Gravity gradient stabilization provides 5 degrees control with magnetic torquers for damping. Cold gas (nitrogen) propulsion system.

Payload
Each spacecraft carries 17 data processors and seven antennas. Designed to handle 50,000 messages per hour. Long boom is a 2.6 meter VHF/UHF gateway antenna. Receive: 2400 bps at 148 - 149.9 MHz. Transmit: 4800 bps at 137 - 138 MHz and 400.05 - 400.15 MHz. The system uses X.400 (CCITT 1988) addressing. Message size is 6 to 250 bytes typical (no maximum).

Country of Origin	United States
Customer/User	Orbcomm Inc. (subsy. of OSC)
Manufacturer(s)	Orbital Sciences
Size	Bus: 1.05 m diameter x 0.17 m thick
Orbit	Nominal constellation: 2 Polar (F 1, 2): 785 km circular / 24 Inclined: 3 planes with 8 equidistantly spaced satellites in each plane, 780 km circular, 45 deg inclination - Augmented constellation: 2 more Polar + additional 8 satellite plane
Design Life	4 years

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
Orbcomm X	1991-050C	7/17/91	Kourou	Ariane 4	LEO	22
Store and forward communication
OXP 1	1993-009A	2/9/93	ESMC	Pegasus	LEO	15
Experimental spacecraft
Orbcomm FM1	1995-017A	4/3/95	WSMC	Pegasus	LEO	40
Commercial communications testbed
Orbcomm FM2	1995-017B	4/3/95	WSMC	Pegasus	LEO	40
Commercial communications testbed