Globalstar Purchases SpaceX Launches Worth $64 Million
According to regulatory documents, Globalstar, a satellite network operator backed by Apple, has booked SpaceX flights worth $64 million. These launches are scheduled for 2025, with the goal of deploying at least 17 new satellites into low Earth orbit to supplement Globalstar’s existing satellite constellation.
Globalstar had previously agreed to pay $327 million to MDA for these satellites in February of the previous year. Rocket Lab supplies the spacecraft chassis as a subcontractor.
Apple has agreed to reimburse 95% of the capital costs associated with the satellites, including launch fees. In addition, Apple has offered $252 million in funding to cover the initial costs associated with updating the satellite constellation and improving the satellite operator’s ground station network.
In exchange, Apple will receive 85% of Globalstar’s network capacity, which will be used to provide emergency satellite connectivity for iPhones in locations where cellular networks are unavailable.
This contract emphasizes SpaceX’s near-monopoly in orbital launches. SpaceX is building its own “sat-to-cell” ambitions via the Starlink satellite constellation at the same time, putting SpaceX and Globalstar as prospective competitors. Tensions erupted last year when SpaceX demanded extra bandwidth for Starlink from regulators, including areas of the 1.6/2.4 GHz radio bands that Globalstar exclusively uses.
