ORBCOMM low earth orbit mobile satellite communication system: US Armed Forces applications

The ORBCOMM digital data communication and position determination system can provide the US Armed Forces with two-way on-the-move data messaging anywhere in the world. The ORBCOMM system uses a constellation of small spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) instead of terrestrial fixed site relays or repeaters to provide worldwide geographic coverage. The user terminals are inexpensive ($450 retail) light-weight and pocket-sized. They transmit and receive short digital burst packets, with inherent LPI/LPD. The ORBCOMM Capabilities Demonstration Satellite is currently in orbit and is available now to the US Armed Forces for test purposes. The first two operational satellites were to be launched late in 1993 and ready for US Armed Forces Beta tests in early 1994.<
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