[Satellite TODAY 12-28-11] Six new Globalstar second-generation satellites have been integrated into a Soyuz rocket and rolled out to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in preparation for their scheduled launch on Dec. 28, the operator announced Dec. 27.

   The six satellites were mated to the Soyuz upper stage dispenser earlier this month and prior to rollout.

   Globalstar has contracted with launch services provider Arianespace for a total of four launches of six satellites per launch. The Dec. 28 liftoff will be the third launch of Globalstar’s second-generation constellation satellites. The first two launches were successfully conducted in October 2010 and July 2011.

   The Globalstar second-generation satellite constellation is designed to support voice, Duplex and Simplex data products and services including Globalstar’s lineup of Spot retail consumer products.