Globalstar Signs Agreement With Thales Alenia Space to Return Second-Generation Satellite to Service

Published on Monday, 21 November 2011 18:07 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

COVINGTON, La., Nov. 21, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, governments and consumers, and satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space today announced the signing of an agreement to develop satellite software to enhance operations of the Globalstar second generation satellites. As Globalstar has previously announced, one of twelve new second-generation satellites that have been launched is not currently providing service due to an issue with two of its momentum wheels. According to the agreement announced today, Thales Alenia Space will develop and provide the software necessary to adapt the in-flight configuration for this satellite, allowing it to return to service and sustain operations compliant with the objectives of its 15-year mission. This solution is expected to be implemented in stages over the coming months and is intended to be available for other satellites, if they experience similar issues in the future.

"Following weeks of simulations, design analysis and discussions with Thales Alenia Space, we welcome Thales' agreement to develop a solution that should enable the affected satellite to return to full service and accomplish its primary mission of providing 15 years of high quality mobile satellite voice and data services," said Tony Navarra, President of Global Operations for Globalstar, Inc. 

"Thales Alenia Space has allocated major skilled resources to this development, which would allow Globalstar to operate the satellite even with this wheel anomaly. This software, after full validation on Thales Alenia Space Software and Avionics test benches, will be then uploaded in flight, thanks to on board computer capability. It will also be available for other satellites, if needed, to help ensure their expected lifetime," said Michel Fiat, CTO of Thales Alenia Space.

Globalstar is also in the final decision-making period for its third satellite launch currently scheduled for December and expects to announce updated launch information shortly.

About Globalstar, Inc.

Globalstar is a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services. Globalstar offers these services to commercial customers and recreational consumers in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company's products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems, the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger and flexible service packages. Many land based and maritime industries benefit from Globalstar with increased productivity from remote areas beyond cellular and landline service. Global customer segments include: oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset and personal tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications. All SPOT products described in this press release are the products of Spot LLC, which is not affiliated in any manner with Spot Image of Toulouse, France or Spot Image Corporation of Chantilly, Virginia.

For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com

The Globalstar, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8183

Safe Harbor Language for Globalstar Releases

This press release may contains certain statements such as, "This solution is expected to be implemented in stages over the coming months and is intended to be available for other satellites, if they experience similar issues in the future," that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, such as the statements regarding the Company's ability to develop and expand its business, its anticipated capital spending (including for future satellite procurements and launches), its ability to manage costs, its ability to exploit and respond to technological innovation, the effects of laws and regulations (including tax laws and regulations) and legal and regulatory changes, the opportunities for strategic business combinations and the effects of consolidation in its industry on the Company and its competitors, its anticipated future revenues, its anticipated financial resources, its expectations about the future launches and operational performance of its satellites (including their projected operational lives), the expected strength of and growth prospects for the Company's existing customers and the markets that it serve, commercial acceptance of its new Simplex products, including its SPOT satellite GPS messenger ^TM products, problems relating to the ground-based facilities operated by the Company or its independent gateway operators, worldwide economic, geopolitical and business conditions and risks associated with doing business on a global basis and other statements contained in this release regarding matters that are not historical facts, involve predictions.

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release speak as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and Globalstar undertakes no obligation to update any such statements. Additional information on factors that could influence the Company's financial results is included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

CONTACT: For further media information:
         Globalstar, Inc.
         Dean Hirasawa
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