The Globalstar global mobile communications network offers global, digital real time voice, data and fax via a constellation of 48 minisatellites. The constellation operates in a 1410 km orbit inclined at 52 degrees, and will also have 8 spares. The satellites were built by Space Systems Loral and Alenia Aerospazio in Rome, Italy.

More than 10 major companies have invested US$ 2.6b (1998), and include Loral (39%), Qualcomm inc., AirTouch communications, Alcatel, DACOM, Daimler Benz Aerospace, Hyundai, Elsacomm, China Telecom (HK), Vodaphone and France Telecom.

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 (Ger).

The spacecraft employ secure links to control station (C-band 6875-7055 MHz), and handsets (16 cells L-band 1610-1626.5 MHz up, 16 cells S-band 2483.5-2500 MHz down). CDMA is employed, and data rates of up to 9600 bps are supported on terminals.