MDA Space confirms eight Globalstar Refresh satellites complete initial functional tests in orbit

MDA Space said on Nov. 10, 2026 that eight Globalstar Refresh satellites completed initial functional tests in orbit after launching Aug. 15, 2026 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 left the pad at 9:12 p.m. Eastern time, on Aug. 15, 2026, flying from Launch Complex 40, which is at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. All eight spacecraft separated successfully over a span of six minutes, beginning 56.5 minutes after liftoff, specifically on Aug. 15, 2026. Globalstar’s Satellite Operations Command Center established contact with each satellite, and initial health assessments indicated the satellites performed as expected after launch.

By Aug. 16, 2026, every satellite had reached its intended orbital plane and stayed under Globalstar’s command and control. Globalstar established command and control during early-orbit operations spanning Aug. 15-16, 2026. The newly launched spacecraft will undertake commissioning work that includes comprehensive system testing and calibration before integration into Globalstar’s operational constellation. The company plans to share more updates on commissioning and entry into service once it reaches important milestones.

Electric orbit raising using electric propulsion started for the initial pair of satellites as the other six wait for their orbital planes to move into alignment. Payload health checks are underway on all eight satellites as of Nov. 10, 2026, after completion of the initial functional testing. Globalstar and MDA Space are carrying out in-orbit tests of payload and bus functionality for six satellites that remain while their orbital planes move into the correct position. When the planes align, tests of payload and bus functionality continue for the satellites still waiting while orbit raising proceeds toward the final testing altitude.

Orbit raising for all satellites in the first set will continue with Rocket Lab support to reach the last testing altitude before the satellites maneuver to their final orbit. Rocket Lab Corporation designed, built and commissioned the satellite platforms and will keep supporting orbit raising as work moves through the final testing phase.

The eight satellites are part of a 17-satellite order Globalstar placed in 2022 to replenish its current network in low Earth orbit. Integration finished recently for nine additional satellites at an MDA Space site in Montréal, Quebec, and the two batches together make up the replenishment order for the HIBLEO network that serves mobile phones and IoT devices. The HIBLEO constellation delivers direct-to-device satellite connectivity to select mobile phones and IoT applications.

The new spacecraft will back Apple’s satellite messaging service and connectivity offerings. HIBLEO-4 will continue to offer SPOT tracking plus emergency SOS for smartphones during its current operations.

Amazon disclosed a definitive agreement on April 14, 2026, to purchase Globalstar for roughly $11.57 billion, with closing expected in 2027. The deal depends on regulatory approvals and Globalstar reaching certain HIBLEO-4 replacement satellite milestones, which are contractual closing conditions for the transaction. The HSR Act waiting period came to an end in July 2026. Globalstar must finish the remaining legs for its HIBLEO-4 deployment schedule before the deal closes, and more SpaceX Falcon 9 flights will take place later in 2026.

Amazon and Apple will work together to support iPhone and Apple Watch devices using Globalstar’s current and planned satellite constellations, working together on Emergency SOS and other services such as Messages, Find My and Roadside Assistance. Globalstar said its satellites and radio frequency spectrum plus operational expertise will help Amazon Leo. The company said this expertise will help Amazon Leo offer Direct-to-Device services on future low Earth orbit networks.

Globalstar posted revenue of $64.8 million for second quarter 2026 along with record-high Commercial IoT subscriber activations. The company said it will not hold further earnings calls or give updates on forward-looking guidance because of the pending Amazon transaction.

The confirmation marked the first in-orbit milestone after the August launch for the refreshed constellation, and MDA Space served as prime contractor for Globalstar’s 2-R satellite program while leading the mission. The company put out the confirmation in a news release. Mike Greenley, who leads MDA Space as CEO, pointed to mission firsts carried out with skill and agility and said the company stays focused on customer delivery. “As prime contractor for this critical commercial communications constellation, our full focus remains on continued execution and the delivery to our customer.”

It marks the first time MDA Space served as prime contractor for a commercial Low-Earth Orbit communications constellation. MDA Space called the work mission firsts achieved with skill and agility across assembly, integration, testing and launch phases, plus post-launch work. Greenley’s comments covered assembly, integration, testing and the launch campaign, along with post-launch work on the Globalstar 2-R program. Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, who leads Globalstar as CEO, called the launch an important milestone and said the company is focused on completing early orbit operations for added resiliency across the network.

“The successful launch and deployment of these satellites is an important milestone for Globalstar and our customers around the world.”