NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Failure

Globalstar FM5, 7, 9 to 13, 16 to 18, 20 & 21

Launch Time
Wed Sep 09, 1998 20:29 UTC

Guidance system failure at T+272 seconds caused shutdown of 2nd stage engine. Following this failure, Globalstar cancelled its contract, which still included two other Zenit flights.

Rocket

Zenit-2
VKS RF
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 7,257 kN
Payload to LEO: 13,500 kg
Payload to GTO: 4,500 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 57.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 3.9 m
Fairing Height: 13.65 m

Mission Details

Globalstar FM5, 7, 9 to 13, 16 to 18, 20 & 21

Globalstar, Inc. is an American satellite communications company that operates a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation for satellite phone and low-speed data communications, somewhat similar to the Iridium satellite constellation and Orbcomm satellite systems. The constellation operates in a 1410 km orbit inclined at 52 degrees, and will also have 8 spares.

The satellites are based on the SS/Loral LS-400 platform, with the body is trapezoidal in shape with two deployed solar panels, in order to allow multiple satellites to be carried on the same launch. The satellite is 3-axis stabilized and employs magnetometers on a deployable boom, sun sensors, GPS as attitude sensors, and carries two deployable solar arrays delivering 1100 W for normal operations. The propulsion system employs hydrazine, and its primary use is station keeping. Each satellite weighs 450 kg, with a dry mass of 350 kg, and is designed for a 7.5 year lifetime. The payload antennas are phased arrays mounted on the satellite body. The Attitude control, orbit control and solar panels were delivered by Dornier.

Payloads: 12
Total Mass: 6,600.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

Site 45/1, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

1998

56th orbital launch attempt

Zenit

31st mission
3rd mission of 1998
7th failed mission