Orbcomm Launch News

Personal Satellite Network Update, Orbcomm Launch News DULLES, VA December 23, 1997 -- ORBCOMM Global, L.P. (ORBCOMM), the first provider of commercial global low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite data and messaging communications services, today announced the successful launch of eight satellites into their target orbit approximately 500 miles above the Earth. In the next few days, satellite controllers at Orbcomm's Network Control Center (NCC) in Dulles, VA, plan to establish contact with the satellites and begin the approximately three-month testing and deployment phase. The launch represents the third milestone in Orbcomm's 10-stage countdown to global service.

Orbital Science Corporation's L-1011 carrier aircraft with the Pegasus XL rocket took off today from NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility in Virginia at 1:13 p.m. (EST). The aircraft flew approximately 60 miles off the Virginia coast to a predetermined point 39,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, where the Pegasus rocket was released at 2:11 p.m. (EST). After a 72- minute flight, the eight ORBCOMM satellites were injected into their target orbit. This orbit is within tolerances for all measures. Preliminary indications are that all eight satellites separated successfully from the Pegasus rocket. Initial communications with the ORBCOMM satellites are proceeding as expected.

"Orbcomm's dedication, hard work and know-how have brought an entirely new, low-cost communications option to the world marketplace," said Alan Parker, ORBCOMM president and CEO. "With 10 satellites in orbit, ORBCOMM is the world's first commercial wireless data and messaging communications service giving industries `just what they need to know' at any point on the globe. Thanks in large part to the expertise of launch and satellite teams from Orbital and all 260 ORBCOMM employees, we have taken one giant step closer to providing affordable, portable, real-time communications everywhere on the planet."

When the new satellites are operational, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 1998, ORBCOMM will increase the communications availability in the U.S. from an average of 1.5 hours per day to 12 hours per day. With the planned launch of 18 more satellites in the first half of 1998, ORBCOMM will be able to provide near real-time commercial data and messaging communications to customers in the transportation, marine, oil and gas, utilities, heavy equipment and defense industries.

The ORBCOMM System is capable of sending and receiving two-way alphanumeric packets, similar to two-way paging or e-mail. The three main components of the ORBCOMM System are: the space segment, which is the constellation of satellites; the ground segment, consisting of Gateways which receive and route the data, and the NCC, which operates the entire ORBCOMM System; and subscriber communicators, which are hand-held devices for personal messaging or fixed units for various applications including remote monitoring and tracking.

The satellites were produced by Orbital in its Dulles, VA, and Germantown, MD, facilities, where 24 additional ORBCOMM satellites are in the final stages of production and testing. The ORBCOMM satellites include features that are designed to increase performance, reliability, and life expectancy in the harsh environment of space. These satellites have advanced digital signal processing technology, enhancing the satellites' ability to receive small data packets from sensors in vehicles, containers, vessels and fixed sites, and relay them through the ORBCOMM System.

Each satellite is folded for launch to a shallow cylindrical shape 41" in diameter and only 6 =BD" in height. The stackable design allows dense packaging of multiple satellites, which reduces the launch expense required to deploy Orbcomm's planned constellation of up to 36 satellites.

The launch of the new satellites is a critical milestone in Orbcomm's "Countdown to Global Service," which began in October with the dedication of the global NCC. Upcoming milestones include subsequent launches, the installation in the U.S. of a custom-designed customer care and billing system, and the completion of Gateways in key locations around the world.

ORBCOMM Background

ORBCOMM is a mobile satellite service provider offering high-value, two-way data and messaging communications globally through international service licensees and in the U.S. through value-added resellers and direct sales. ORBCOMM applications include monitoring of industrial assets such as pipelines, storage tanks, and construction equipment; tracking of mobile assets such as trailers, railcars and shipping containers; and two-way message communications in recreational, commercial, military and automotive markets.

ORBCOMM is a partnership owned by Orbital Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ: ORBI), Teleglobe Inc. of Canada (NYSE and Montreal: TGO)and Technology Resources Industries Bhd. of Malaysia. Orbital is a space technology company that designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of space products and satellite-based services. Teleglobe Inc. is a leader in the intercontinental telecommunications industry. Its main subsidiaries and divisions are Teleglobe Canada Inc. (Canada's overseas carrier), Teleglobe International Corporation, Teleglobe World Mobility and Teleglobe Enterprises. Technology Resources Industries Bhd., a publicly traded holding company, controls the largest cellular operator in Malaysia.

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