[Satellite Today – 5-28-08] Orbcomm Inc. announced May 28 that its Coast Guard demonstration and five Quick Launch satellites have been shipped to the launch site in Kapustin Yar, Russia. The launch is expected to take place before the end of June on a Cosmos 3M rocket. Once launched, the satellites will be put into commercial service within one to three months while they undergo in-orbit spacing and functional testing.
    The Coast Guard demonstration and Quick Launch satellites will have higher capacity to enhance Orbcomm’s network performance and will be placed in an optimum orbit to augment current satellites, providing faster message delivery for the company’s new and existing customers. In addition, the satellites are equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) payloads, which will enable them to receive and report transmissions from AIS-equipped maritime vessels.
    Orbcomm also intends to market AIS data services to other U.S. and international government agencies, as well as to companies whose businesses require ship tracking and other navigational activities.