Satellite  |  2023-09-05

Globalstar Partners with SpaceX to Launch New Apple SOS Satellites

Source: Globalstar
Curated by: Gert Jan Wolf - Editor-in Chief for The Critical Communications Review

Globalstar and SpaceX agreed to launch the first SPOT network upgrade satellites to support Apple's emergency messaging service. Globalstar is spending $64 million for the 2025 launch. Globalstar is improving its Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) SPOT network to accommodate iPhone 14 satellite direct-to-cell emergency messaging. Apple is paying 95% of the improved network expenditures, including satellites and launch, and Globalstar has pledged to reserve 85% of its present and future network capacity for the services.

Globalstar filed SEC filings on Aug. 30 to announce the start. The document did not name a launch vehicle.