CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — MDA Space has successfully deployed the first eight of 17 replenishment satellites being built for Globalstar’s low Earth orbit (LEO) communications constellation.
The eight satellites were launched on August 15 at 9:12 p.m. Eastern Time aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Following deployment, contact was established with all eight spacecraft. The satellites are generating power, operating as expected in orbit and entering the commissioning phase, where they will undergo in-orbit testing.
The launch marks MDA Space’s first satellite delivery as prime contractor for a commercial communications constellation. MDA Space was selected by Globalstar in 2022 to provide 17 replacement satellites intended to replenish and extend the company’s existing LEO constellation.
MDA Space Leads Satellite Program
Under the program, MDA Space is responsible for the overall satellite program, including design, manufacturing, assembly, testing and integration. The spacecraft were fully integrated and tested at MDA Space’s facilities in Montréal, Canada, before being transported to Florida for launch.
MDA Space originally announced the 17-satellite contract in February 2022. The contract was valued at $327 million and included the design, manufacture, assembly and testing of the satellites. The satellites are intended to integrate with Globalstar’s existing constellation and help maintain continuity of service.
The Globalstar replenishment program has also been an important part of MDA Space’s expansion of its satellite production capabilities. The company has been developing higher-volume manufacturing processes to support constellation-class spacecraft.
MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley previously said the Globalstar program was helping transform the company’s satellite design and high-volume production process. The company has also brought its new high-volume satellite manufacturing facility in Montréal into operation.
Rocket Lab Provides Satellite Platforms
Rocket Lab is supplying the satellite platforms for the 17 spacecraft under its agreement with MDA Space.
The platforms are based on a customized version of Rocket Lab’s Lightning satellite design. Each spacecraft weighs approximately 500 kilograms. Rocket Lab has supplied components including solar arrays, reaction wheels, avionics, flight and ground software, and command and telemetry radios.
The platforms were manufactured at Rocket Lab’s facility in Long Beach, California, before being sent to MDA Space in Montréal for integration and testing.
Rocket Lab reported that it established contact with all eight spacecraft after launch and confirmed that they were generating power and operating nominally.
MDA Space and Rocket Lab’s roles were established when the satellite contract was announced in 2022. MDA Space was named prime contractor, while Rocket Lab was selected to lead development of the spacecraft bus.
Satellites Will Replenish Globalstar’s LEO Network
Globalstar’s existing LEO constellation supports mobile satellite services and Internet of Things applications. The company has also used its satellite network to provide direct-to-device services for selected mobile devices.
Globalstar previously said the 17 replacement satellites would replenish its existing constellation and provide continuity of satellite services. The company signed launch agreements with SpaceX for two Falcon 9 missions to deploy the replacement satellites.
The first launch carries eight of the 17 satellites. The remaining nine satellites are in the final stages of integration at MDA Space’s facilities.
Globalstar signed a separate agreement with SpaceX in July 2025 for the launch of the remaining nine replacement satellites. The company said at the time that the second launch was expected in 2026.
A specific launch date for the remaining nine satellites has not been announced in the information provided.
Next Steps
The eight newly deployed spacecraft will continue through their commissioning process before being incorporated into Globalstar’s operational constellation.
The remaining nine satellites will complete the 17-satellite replenishment program once they are integrated, tested and launched.
The program gives MDA Space a commercial reference for its role as a prime contractor responsible for delivering satellites for a LEO communications constellation. It also builds on the company’s broader work with Globalstar. In February 2025, MDA Space announced a separate contract worth approximately $1.1 billion to serve as prime contractor for Globalstar’s next-generation LEO constellation, which is planned to include more than 50 MDA AURORA software-defined satellites.
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