Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
18:53:00
Saturday December 4, 1999
Orbcomm is a commercial global wireless data and messaging system. The Orbcomm System uses low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide cost-effective tracking, monitoring and messaging capabilities to and from anywhere in the world. Similar to two-way paging or e-mail, the system is capable of sending and receiving two-way alphanumeric packets of data. These short, economical messages increase the efficiency of remote operations by making critical information readily available, often from areas beyond the geographic and economic reach of traditional systems.
8 Payloads
320 kilograms
Agency
NorthropPrice
$40.00 million
Rocket
Height: 17.6m
Liftoff Thrust
561 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 1.15m
Height: 2.13m
Stages
4
28th
Mission
3rd
Mission of 1999
69th
Orbital launch attempt