A SpaceX Falcon 9 rollout. Photo: SpaceX

[Via Satellite 10-19-2015] Orbcomm and SpaceX have announced plans to launch the remaining 11 satellites in the Orbcomm Second Generation (OG2) constellation within the next six to eight weeks. The launch will take place from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station using an upgraded Falcon 9 rocket.

The second OG2 mission will be SpaceX’s first launch following the CRS-7 mishap, in which a Falcon 9 rocket failed as the result of an over-pressurization event roughly two minutes after liftoff. SpaceX successfully launched Orbcomm’s first OG2 mission of six satellites on July 14, 2014. Orbcomm reported in August that one of the six satellites ceased communicating.

OG2 enables faster message delivery, larger message sizes and better coverage at higher latitudes than OG1, and includes an Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload on each spacecraft for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts. Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), prime contractor and spacecraft bus manufacturer for OG2, has completed all factory acceptance testing and is preparing the satellites for shipping to Cape Canaveral at the end of October.

“We are excited to launch our eleven OG2 satellites aboard SpaceX’s newly upgraded Falcon 9 rocket and have full confidence in SpaceX and their dedication to this launch,” said Marc Eisenberg, CEO of Orbcomm.