[09/03/07 – Satellite Today] Globalstar awarded a contract to Arianespace for the launch of Globalstar’s second-generation constellation using Soyuz rockets, Arianespace announced Sept. 4.

Arianespace received a contract to perform four firm launches for Globalstar beginning in summer 2009. Each Soyuz vehicle would carry six of the second-generation satellites, which will weight about 700 kilograms apiece at launch.

Thales Alenia Space is manufacturing 48 satellites for Globalstar, and the Arianespace contract has an option for four additional Soyuz missions.