en.Wedoany.com Reported - Globalstar, a U.S. next-generation telecommunications infrastructure and technology provider, announced on May 12, 2026, that its HIBLEO-4 replenishment satellite is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, within a 14-minute launch window opening at 8:50 a.m. Eastern Time on May 17.
Globalstar CEO Paul E. Jacobs stated that this launch is an important step in maintaining and strengthening the infrastructure customers rely on daily, and that replenishing the existing constellation is a critical link in delivering resilient satellite services globally. This batch of HIBLEO-4 satellites, manufactured by Canada's MDA Space based on its Aurora software-defined platform and designed specifically for direct-to-device services, will be used to enhance Globalstar's low Earth orbit constellation.
Globalstar currently operates approximately 31 satellites in orbit at an altitude of about 1,414 kilometers. Seven of these are HIBLEO-4 satellites authorized by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), while another 24 HIBLEO-X satellites are licensed by France. The FCC approved Globalstar's deployment of up to 17 new satellites in August 2024 and renewed its operating license for 15 years through 2039. As the HIBLEO-X satellites are gradually retired, the entire network will be unified under U.S. authorization.
The constellation replenishment plan has been underway for several years. In 2022, after Apple committed to covering most of the replenishment costs, Globalstar signed a $327 million satellite manufacturing contract with MDA Space for an initial batch of 17 satellites. In November 2023 and February 2025, the two parties added two more contracts totaling CAD 1.1 billion, expanding the constellation size to 54 satellites. In July 2025, Globalstar signed a launch service agreement with SpaceX to provide launch services for satellites manufactured by MDA and Rocket Lab.
The Globalstar constellation has long provided satellite emergency SOS and messaging services for Apple iPhones, allowing iPhone 14 and later models to send emergency messages via satellite in areas without cellular coverage. Greg Joswiak, Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, stated in a recent announcement regarding Amazon's acquisition of Globalstar that since its launch over three years ago, the satellite Emergency SOS safety service has helped save many lives around the world.
Amazon announced on April 15, 2026, that it would acquire Globalstar for $11.57 billion. Following the completion of the transaction, the Globalstar constellation will operate in parallel with Amazon's "Leo" broadband system and will integrate Amazon's direct-to-device satellite system, planned for deployment in 2028, to provide voice, data, and messaging services to mobile phones. Amazon has also signed an agreement with Apple to continue providing satellite services for iPhone and Apple Watch.
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