NEWTOWN, Conn. - ORBCOMM expects to take delivery of the remaining 11 ORBCOMM Generation 2 (OG2) satellites by the end of 2015. The first six were delivered into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 in July 2014. The OG2 satellites have experienced a number of delays. The most recent issues had to do with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle provided by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX). The large launch manifest for the Falcon 9 has pushed back OG2 launches.
ORBCOMM has experienced strong growth in recent years. Both revenues and paying subscribers have steadily increased since 2010. ORBCOMM has focused on providing machine-to-machine (M2M), and asset tracking and monitoring services to a number of industries, including trucking, rail, and heavy machinery. The company has also acquired M2M service providers to expand its global reach and product lineup. One area in particular that the company is focusing on is the maritime market, with a service that tracks maritime traffic - the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
The OG2 satellites will provide ORBCOMM with a reliable and capable satellite network that will enable these services, further increasing the company's customer base and revenues. ORBCOMM is taking delivery of a total of 17 satellites as part of the OG2 network. Forecast International expects ORBCOMM to get about 10 years of life out of the OG2 satellites, meaning deliveries will not be needed until the middle of next decade.