ORBCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq: ORBC), a global provider of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, announced on March 1, 2016, that it has launched commercial service for its final 11 second generation OG2 satellites. ORBCOMM’s advanced OG2 satellites are providing both M2M messaging and Automatic Identification System (AIS)service for its global customers. ORBCOMM successfully launched the 11 OG2 satellites on December 21, 2015, aboard a dedicated SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.
After comprehensive in-orbit testing, the 11 OG2 satellites are spaced within three separate drift orbit planes, and the OG2 satellite fleet is now processing over 60% of the network’s M2M traffic. Drifting will continue until all 11 OG2 satellites are in proper phase. Initial testing verified proper satellite bus functionality, including antenna and solar array deployments, power systems, attitude control, propulsion and flight software. Subsequent testing focused on communications and network system performance. All of these tests were successfully completed well ahead of schedule, allowing for commercial service to begin earlier than expected. With the addition of the OG2 satellites, ORBCOMM is now collecting over 18 million AIS messages from approximately 150,000 unique vessels per day, surpassing all other AIS networks in service quality.
The OG2 satellites are fully backwards compatible with ORBCOMM’s existing OG1 satellites. ORBCOMM’s customers do not need to change or upgrade their fielded devices and are now seamlessly using the full constellation of OG2 satellites to send and receive messages for their applications with their existing platforms.
OHB SE (Prime Standard, ISIN DE0005936124) holds a long-time strategic share in Orbcomm Inc. as well a 50% share in Orbcomm Europe LLC. Furthermore, OHB markets Obcomm services in Germany through its subsidiary Orbcomm Deutschland AG.
For more information please see the orbcomm-website: www.orbcomm.com
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