[Satellite TODAY Insider 10-04-11] Satellite operator Globalstar has placed an order with Thales Alenia Space for an additional six satellites to its 2006 second-generation constellation contract with the manufacturer, under which 25 satellites already ordered, the companies announced Oct. 3.

   According to the terms of the contract, the satellites will cost approximately 55 million euros ($73.2 million) and be delivered by mid-2013. The fast track delivery, which was agreed upon when the contract was signed in 2006, is due to the fact that Globalstar had previously purchased 12 million euros ($15.9 million) in long lead items, facilitating the prompt manufacture schedule.

   Globalstar has already prepaid more than 53 million euros ($70.6 million) as part of its 2009 Coface financing agreement. Combined with Globalstar’s long lead items, Thales has already received about 65 million euros ($86.6 million) for these satellites.

Further payments will not be made until Thales Alenia Space initiates the manufacturing process, Executive Chairman and CEO of Globalstar Jay Monroe said in a statement.    “Notwithstanding the previously announced arbitration proceedings, we look forward to receipt of these satellites for our second-generation constellation. This is a complicated project and we value Thales’s ability to deliver on time and on budget.”

   In August, the French Minister of Space Operations Laurent Wauquiez issued a final authorization to Globalstar to allow the satellite company to operate its second-generation constellation of satellites. The announcement was made just two days before Globalstar’s deadline to acquire authorization, which was stipulated in the company’s loan terms with the Coface French credit export agency.

   Arianespace launched Globalstar’s six new second-generation satellites July 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard a Soyuz rocket. The launch is the second of four planned launches of six satellites each that are contracted with launch services provider Arianespace.

   “The post-quarter launch of six additional new satellites represents another major milestone achievement for Globalstar, as we continue to deploy our second-generation constellation,” Monroe said in a conference call. “Once our launches are complete and all of our new satellites are fully deployed, we anticipate Globalstar will offer the world’s most comprehensive lineup of commercial enterprise and retail consumer MSS products and services in the industry.”