Here we provide additional information and links concerning mobile satellite 2-way communications with individual transceivers on earth. These transceivers might be a satellite telephone, a pager, a laptop, etc.

Globalstar and Iridium use constellations of satellites in low earth orbit to reduce signal transit times and to obtain higher bandwidth to power ratios than geostationary systems. Tthe satellites orbit faster than the earth turns so many satellites must be distributed in numerous orbits to insure that at least one satellite is always in view.

Conversely, Inmarsat and Thuraya use satellites in geostationary orbit and thus have longer delays and cannot cover the polar latitudes. However, they only need a few satellites.

[See the Shopping section for links to retailers of personal satellite communications products.]

Telephone/ Paging/ Data / Internet
Ellipso, Globalstar, Iridium Satellite

These multi-billion dollar systems provide, or intended to provide, telephone and/or data (e.g. internet) communications services. (See also the GEO Mobile Communications companies.)

By 2003 the large internet satellite constellation projects, e.g. Teledesic, SkyBridge were either canceled or suspended due to the severe depression in the general telecom market. Satellite Internet via GEO satellites continues with companies like WildBlue.

ICO was a major satellite constellation project that was also canceled.

Iridium has over 66 satellites in orbit and began service in late 1998. However, due to poor marketing, high charges, late delivery of workable phones, gigantic debt load, spread of terrestrial cell phone systems, etc., the company attracted only 63 thousand subscribers instead of the 100s of thousands expected by mid-1999. It declared bankruptcy and even planned to begin de-orbiting of the satellites.

In November 2000, however, an investor group purchased the Iridium assets for $25 million. It received a 2 year contract with the US Dept. of Defense to supply communications services. Without a $4 billion debt to pay off, the new company, called Iridium Satellite, only had to attract another 30k of subscribers to break even.

The company reported in June of 2005 that it was profitable and had over 127,000 users. The company has said that it intends to apply for a FCC license for a 96 satellite system to replace the current constellation when it is expected to start failing around 2010. They expect to fill the capacity of the current system (guessing around 2 or 3 million users) before then.

" The company has other government contracts as well, but sales to private firms -- a division launched only a year ago -- are growing at more than 20 percent a month and now make up roughly half of its total revenue. Growth in its data business has outpaced what the company once expected; customers tend to e-mail and surf the Web longer than they tend to talk on the phone."

"Thanks in part to that growth, the Arlington-based company could have made enough money to cover its annual costs of $90 million by the middle of this year, said Gino Picasso, chief executive of Iridium. Instead, the company decided to create a short-message service, so it won't break even on its expenses until next year, he said." - Washington Post, May 23,2002

Iridium and partners are also now offering systems to provide low cost aviation communications - voice, data, & messaging:

• Eagle Broadband - using Iridium for its communication system
  • Eagle Broadband Unveils Unique New Product Line Based On Low-Earth-Orbit, Satellite Communications: "Total Global Coverage Creates Extensive Commercial Aviation, Military, and Homeland Security Applications" - Eagle PR - Dec.9.02
• Blue Sky Network - aviation telephone using Iridium satellites.
• World Communication Center
  • World Communication Introduces Portable Comms Unit For Planes[Using Iridium] - Spacedaily - July.29.02

Globalstar has a 48 satellite system that was much cheaper to build and use than Iridium. Instead of switching telephone connections on and between satellites, Globalstar satellites merely receive phone signals and relay them back to gateway stations on the ground. The gateways take care of switching the connection to the correct line. This means that mid-ocean and polar regions are not served, but most land and coastal areas will eventually be served. Qualcomm's How Globalstar works.

Despite these advantages, Globalstar has also failed to attract sufficient business and declared bankruptcy in February 2002. It was later sold to a group that took it private.

As of 2005, Globalstar has 150,000 subscribers (Sat Phones Surge After Katrina - Wired - Sept.7.05). Like Iridium, it is developing out niche markets such as emergency communications, low data rate tracking applications, aviation phones and data transmission, and workers in remote areas.

• X-traWeb, for example, is using the Globalstar system to connect remote devices, e.g. fuel pipe monitoring sensors, to the web.
• ARNAV is developing a cockpit communications system based on Globalstar.
• AeroAstro has developed a tracking system that uses the Globalstar system

Inmarsat and Thuraya Satellite are discussed in the GEO Sat mobile communications section.

• General:
  • Inmarsat to launch new satellite in 'late 2007' after sat-phone link-up - Forbes.com - Sept.4.06
    
  • Inmarsat collaborates with Aces - Computing - Sept.4.06
  • Senate Looks at Benefits of Satellite Phones in Disaster Zones - Space News/Space.com - Sept.26.05
  • Sat Phones Surge After Katrina - Wired - Sept.7.05
  • The Return of the Satellite Phone - Wall Street Journal - Nov.17.04 (subcription required)
  • Security Concerns Seen as Boon for Mobile Satellite Services - Space News/Space.com - Aug.30.04
  • Wireless World: Satellite Phones On The Rise - SpaceDaily/UPI - Aug.20.04
  • Real Time Demonstration of Mobile Satellite Communications Applied to Accessing Law Enforcement Data - CSA - Apr.5.04
  • At Sea or on Safari, Satellite Phones Hook Users - NY Times - July.17.03
  • Can the mobile satellite service sector be revived? - The Economic Times - Mar.27.03
  • Satellite Phones Are Back - Forbes.com - Mar.25.03
  • Satellite Phones Go To War - Washington Post - Mar.13.03
  • Communications Daily- report on Globalstar & investments by Iridiium and ICO - StockTalk - Feb.24.03
  • Frost and Sullivan Completes Report of Comparative Study Between Globalstar and Iridium - Globalstar PR - Sept.11.02
  • Globalstar, Iridium Benefit from Post-Sept. 11 Dem - smallcapcenter.com - Sept.10.02
  • Technology Versus Terrorism [Satellite-based communications networks can help combat terrorism..] - Wireless Newsfactor - Sept.10.02
  • Do Mobile Satellite Service Systems Fundamentally Improve Military Communications Capabilities? An Operational Perspective by George W. Hays - Harvard Program on Information Resources Policy - Mar.01
  • Black Box in Space - Discover - Jan.02
  • Attacks Spur Satellite Phone Sales - ABCNEWS.com - Oct.11.01
  • Demand for satellite phones increases in anticipation of military strikes - SignOnSanDiego Business -- Sept.21.01
  • Looking up? So far, satellite-based mobile phone efforts have yielded little but debt. Is there cause for optimism today? - CommVerge - Aug.22.01
    
    
• Globalstar
  • Globalstar warns of satellite problems - spacetoday.net - Feb.6.07
  • Globalstar, Inc. Signs Contract with Alcatel Alenia Space for Second-Generation LEO Satellite Constellation: New constellation of 48 satellites designed to last through at least 2025 Launches planned to commence in 2009 - Globalstar - Dec.4.06
  • Alcatel Alenia Space signs a Euro 661 million contract with Globalstar to build their second-generation LEO satellite constellation - Alcatel - Dec.4.06
  • Globalstar up 3% in return from bankruptcy: IPO adds a million shares, price midrange - MarketWatch - Nov.2.06
  • Sat Phone Firm Flying High Again: Globalstar's IPO banks on a return of sat-phones. - Red Herring - Nov.2.06
    
  • Globalstar to issue 6.5 mln shares in planned IPO - Reuters - Oct.2.06
  • GlobalStar Announces $400 Million Financing: Debt and equity fundraising secures capital for second-generation satellite constellation and fully funds the Company's future business plan - GlobalStar - Apr.24.06
  • Globalstar Activates 200,000th Customer - Globalstar - Mar.1.06
    
  • Globalstar Launches Emergency Satellite Rate Plan - Globalstar - Mar.2.06
  • Globalstar is Granted FCC Authority for the Implementation Of Ancillary Terrestrial Component Or ATC: Approval paves way for Globalstar to offer seamless satellite/terrestrial wireless solutions for government and industry - Globalstar - Jan.23.06
  • Globalstar Receives Us Government Approval To Proceed With Launch Plans For Spare Satellites - Globalstar - Dec.7.05
    
  • Globalstar Service Provider Elsacom Wins 20 Million Euro Italian Government Contract To Provide Satellite Voice And Data Services - Globalstar - Dec.6.05
  • Globalstar Growth Rate Soars: One year following restructuring, the satellite service provider shows robust customer growth, expanded coverage, as well as new products and services - Globalstar - May.19.05
  • Globalstar Improves Service Coverage - Globalstar - June.4.04
  • Globalstar Financial Restructuring Completed - Globalstar - Apr.15.04
  • Globalstar To Offer Enhanced Caribbean Region Satellite Phone Coverage - Globalstar - Feb.11.04
  • Thermo Capital Partners Completes Agreement to Acquire Globalstar - Globalstar - Dec.8.03
  • Globalstar Reports Results For Second Quarter of 2003
    New Iraq service boosts usage; Investment agreement approved by Bankruptcy Court - Globalstar - Aug.13.03
  • Globalstar At Work in Iraq - SkyREPORT.com - June.19.03
  • Globalstar Sees Rise in Usage - SkyREPORT.com - May.20.03
  • ICO wins majority stake in Globalstar - spacetoday.net - Apr.28.03
  • Globalstar Announces Thermo As Successful Bidder In Auction To Select New Equity Investor - Globalstar - April.4.03
  • Globalstar Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2002 - Globalstar - Mar.31.03
  • Globalstar Introduces New, Low-Cost Fixed Satellite Phone Unit - Globalstar PR - Mar.18.03
  • Globalstar Introduces Data Monitoring Service in North America - Globalstar PR - Mar.12.03
  • Globalstar Debtor-in-Possession Financing Approved by Court - Globalstar PR - Feb.21.03
  • Globalstar to Be Sold for $55 Million - NY Times - Jan.16.03
  • Globalstar gets $55 million infusion - CNET.com - Jan.15.03
  • New Valley Corporation To Provide $55 Million Financing To Globalstar - Globalstar - Jan.15.03
  • Europe Primed for Quick Rescues [using Globalstar phones for emergency communications] - Wired - Nov.25.02
  • Globalstar Reports Results For Third Quarter of 2002 : Revenues continue to grow as subscribers and usage increase - Globalstar PR - Nov.14.02
  • Globalstar Reduces Satellite Phone Call Rates To As Low As 17 Cents Per Minute Newest phase in financial restructuring drops air time charges nearly 80% - Globalstar PR - Aug.21.02
  • Globalstar Grows Sub Count - SkyREPORT.com - Aug.13.02
  • More Globalstar articles in the archive
    
    
• Iridium
  • Iridium® Passes First Milestone on Way to Deploying 'Next': RFI Released to Industry to Begin Procurement of Next-Generation Satellite Communications System - Iridium Satellite- July.2.07
  • Iridium® Announces Q1 2007 Results: New Data Services Driving Growth; Next Generation Constellation Development Underway - Iridium Satellite - May.9.07
  • Iridium® Satellite Announces New North American Pricing Plan:New Prepaid Packages Will Provide Rates as Low as $0.15 per Minute for Satellite Phone Calls with Unrestricted Roaming in North America - Iridium Satellite - Apr.25.07
  • Iridium® NEXT' to be Unveiled at SATELLITE 2007: Iridium Identifying Design and Development Partners For Next Generation Constellation - Iridium Satellite LLC - Feb.15.07
  • Iridium Weighs Upgrade of Satellites - WSJ.com - Feb.15.07 (subscription required)
  • Iridium Announces Q4 and Full-Year 2006 Results: Year-End Outcome Underscores Sustained, Robust Performance Of Critical Global Network - Iridium Satellite LLC - Feb.14.07
  • Putting satellite phone to global connection test - Los Angeles Times - Dec.4.06
  • Satellite phone firm finds valuable link: Demand by the military and others in remote places has sent sales soaring at Iridium. - Los Angeles Times - Dec.4.06
  • Iridium and Raytheon Provide Interoperable Emergency Communications - Iridium Satellite - Aug.30.06
  • Satellite Phone Firm Focuses on Crisis Network: Now-Profitable Iridium Plans Deal With MedStar Health - Washington Post - June.26.06
  • Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency Uses Iridium Satellite Network for Automatic Helicopter Tracking - Iridium -Apr.17.06
  • Iridium Reports Record 2005: Results Subscribers Up 24 Percent to 142,000; Revenue Up 55 Percent Over 2004 - Iridium - Feb.6.06
  • Iridium Satellite Doubles Its Business Over 2004 - Aero-News Network - Nov.10.05
  • Iridium Issues 2005 Mid-Year Report:Subscribers Up 20% and Revenue Up 27% in First Half; Company Has 127,000 Voice and Data Subscribers Worldwide - Iridium - Aug.1.05
  • Japan renews iridium global phone service - InfoBeat - Apr.15.05
  • Iridium Satellite Constellation Passes Milestone for Longevity - Iridium - Mar.21.05
  • Iridium Announces 2004 Revenue and Subscriber Growth - Iridium - Feb.23.05
  • Iridium Announces Subscriber And Revenue Growth Rates - Iridium - Nov.30.04
  • Soyuz Crew: 'Phone Home' - SpaceRef - Oct.28.03
  • Iridium: There's No Place Like Iraq - SkyREPORT.com - July.22.03
  • Eagle Broadband Signs Agreement to Deliver Truly Global, Mobile Satellite-Based Phone and Data Communications Services : Eagle PR - July.17.03 (via Iridium satellites)
  • Iridium Satellite LLC Launches Short Burst Data Services: New Service Provides Tailored Market Applications and Expands Iridium's Capabilities - Iridium PR - June.5.03
  • Defense Department Exercises First Renewal Option of Contract: Extension Confirms DoD Commitment To Iridium's Global Communication Services - Iridium PR - Dec.18.02
  • Iridium Satellite Forges Distribution Agreement with Satcom Direct - Iridium - Sept.30.02
  • Iridium Satellite and Blue SKy Network Enhance Communications for Aviation Customers: Blue SKy Joins Iridiums Growing Service Partner Network - Blue Sky Network PR - Sept.4.02
  • Demand for Iridium services grows 20% - Hoover's Online - July.28.02
  • Lloyds List: Iridium flames into life but will it last? - Hoover's Online - June.28.02
  • Iridium Satellite Secures Distribution Agreements with Major Telecom Providers in the Asia Pacific Region - Iridium PR - June.25.02
  • Iridium Satellite Announces Successful Deployment of Spares: Two New Satellites Will Enhance System Life Span - Iridium PR - June.20.02
  • Iridium Satellite Signs TelenorSatellite Services as its Newest Service Provider - Iridium PR - June.17.02
  • Xantic And Iridium To Sign Agreement - Xantic - May.27.02
  • Iridium Finds Itself in a Contractual Bind: Va. Firm Must Commit to Satellites, Even as Rivals Pursue New Technologies - Washington Post - May.23.02
  • FAA Certifies New Satellite Telephone System for Aviation; BlueSkyLink C1000 Brings Satellite Telephone Costs Down to Earth - Yahoo - May.9.02
  • Iridium Satellite Signs Deal with Telstra - Iridium PR - May.6.02
  • More Iridium articles in the archive
    
    
• Related news
• SpaceDev Wins DARPA Small Sat Study Contract: SpaceDev to Explore Deployment of Microsat Communications Constellation - SpaceDev/Yahoo! - Jan.21.04
• Teledesic Suspends Work Under Satellite Contract - Teledesic - Sept.30.02
• Alcatel 'committed' to SkyBridge, delays geo service - Total Telecom - Jan.3.01
• Alcatel Halts Plans for SkyBridge - Andrews Tech - Jan.3.02
• TRW Halts Work on Astrolink - Space.com - Oct.31.01
  

See also:

• HobbySpace - Satellite Constellations
  
• HobbySpace - Satellite Phones in Shopping Section

Alcatel - ALA
Boeing - BA
Hughes - GMH
Lockheed-Martin - LMT
Loral - LOR
Mitsubishi
Instarsat

Orbital Sciences - ORB
AeroAstro
Astro Research (Japan)
Ball Aerospace-BLL
MicroSat Systems
Spacedev - OTCBB:SPDV
SpaceQuest
SunSpace
SSTL

The geostationary communication satellites are getting as big as trailer homes. Economies of scale push to provide ever more transponders of increasing power, i.e. bandwidths. Building such satellites is a major challenge and is done by a few large aerospace companies.

Low earth communication satellites, on the other hand, more often involve smaller satellites but in high numbers. A wider range of companies build such birds.

Other satellites include those for scientific and military applications. These are built in significant numbers but the communications business is dominate.

AeroAstro
Ball Aerospace-BLL
Clyde Space
Comdev - CDV:TO
L-3 Comm - LLL
One Stop Satellite Solutions
Saab Space

General Dynamics Space Systems & Services (formerly Spectrum-Astro)

Whether its a major satellite company or a student nano-sat project, many parts are obtained from outside suppliers. Some companies both build their own satellites as well as supply parts to others.

Solar panels, sun sensors (for coarse orientation determination), reaction wheels (for spinning or de-spinning a satellite, etc, are typically obtained from companies specializing in these technologies.

The growing small satellite market has encouraged several startup enterprises. For example, One Stop Satellite Solutions offers several types of parts needed for low cost small sats.

Rocket Companies
Arianespace
Boeing - BA
Energia
Lockheed-Martin - LMT
Orbital Sciences - ORB
Sea Launch
SpaceX

More companies in the
Launcher & Propulsion
&
RLV sections

Although some or all of the development money may have come from government/military sources, many private companies now build and launch rockets purely for commercial payloads.

Arianespace holds the largest share of the worldwide commercial launch market. After the Challenger accident the shuttle was prohibited from commercial launchings. Since then US companies have gotten back into the market with improved versions of the Atlas and Delta rockets as well as some newer small vehicles such as the Orbital Science Pegasus. All of these vehicles are expendable, i.e. used once per flight.

Several small startup companies are designing and building completely reusable launchers. They are struggling for funding but could have vehicles in orbit within a couple of years.

They are aiming primarily at the low earth orbit market, especially the LEO communications constellations.

VSAT
EMS Tech - ELMG
Gilat - GILTF
Hughes - GMH
ScientificAtlant -SFA
Globecomm - GCOM
ViaSat - VSAT

Ground Stations
Integral Systems - ISYS
GlobalSat
Satellite Uplink Communication Systems
Spacedev - OTCBB:SPDV

Telemetry/Control Services
Universal Space Networks
Prioranet
Ecliptic Enterprises


Space Hardware
EMS Tech - ELMG

Every satellite needs a ground system for control and telemetry operations. Of course, communication satellites also require ground antennas of various sizes, depending on the signal strengths, frequencies and bandwidths.

Remember that even the cable TV industry depends on satellite distribution of programming to local cable operators. If you drive by your local cable company, it will typically be surrounded by a cluster of large antennas. Even with today's fiber lines, it is still usually cheaper to multicast TV programming from a single satellite to multiple receivers.

The ground system business is not as glamorous as the rocket and satellite business but is a big and important one nonetheless. Besides the large antenna systems. there are over 16 million Americans with small direct-to-home and the larger C-band dishes.

When you use your credit card at a store or service station, the transaction may very well be carried out via a small dish (VSAT) on the roof.

These dishes are called Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) and allow businesses to create their own long distance, multi-point networks totally free of the telephone system.

The VSAT business is growing fast. The US Post Office, for example, recently ordered about 25000 terminals to provide to many of its offices. The intention was originally to use fast ground lines but a study found that satellite communications were more economical except for offices in the largest urban areas.

For more info, see Gilat -What is a VSAT

Also, go to the Global VSAT Forum

• California's Universal Space Network, Inc. (USN) Announces Expansion of Capabilities and Infrastructure in Hawaii and Alaska - CSA - Feb.2.04

Ecliptic Enterprises - This company specializes in onboard imaging systems and data-transport systems for use with rockets, spacecraft and other remote platforms. They have put rocketcams on several vehicles that show in real time the "look-back" view as the rocket launches from the pad and all the way into space.

• Ecliptic RocketCam™ Provides Stunning Views of Inaugural Atlas 5 Launch - Ecliptic PR - Aug.21.02