DULLES, Va., June 1 (UPI) -- Orbital Sciences said Thursday it had received a $17 million contract from ORBCOMM for six new data communications satellites.
The new satellites will replace the original ORBCOMM satellite network that Orbital deployed in the 1990s and has remained operational beyond its original 5- to 7-year lifespan.
ORBCOMM owns and operates 30 low-orbit satellites that provide narrow-band digital communications services primarily to industrial customers.
Delivery of the six new birds is scheduled for the middle of next year, and the contract includes an option for two additional payloads that would bring the total value of the deal to $21.5 million.
Orbital will build the spacecraft at its plant in Dulles, Va., the Washington suburb where ORBCOMM is headquartered.
