France Approves Launch and Operation of 54 Globalstar C-3 Satellites

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 9, U.S. satellite communications operator Globalstar announced that its third-generation C-3 mobile satellite communications system has obtained two regulatory authorizations from France, granted to its French subsidiary Globalstar France SAS, covering satellite frequency use, launch, and in-orbit operation. The system plans to deploy 54 low Earth orbit satellites, including 48 operational satellites and 6 in-orbit spares. The frequency use license is valid for 20 years, and the space system launch and in-orbit operation license covers a 13-year design life. The first batch of satellites is scheduled for launch in 2027.

France's Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty is responsible for frequency use authorizations, while the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space is responsible for space system launch and in-orbit operation authorizations. The frequency license was issued by a ministerial decree signed on October 26, 2026, and published in the Official Journal of France on November 6. The approved frequency bands include the 1610–1626.5 MHz Earth-to-satellite uplink band and the 2483.5–2500 MHz satellite-to-Earth downlink band, with validity calculated from the date the decree takes effect.

The C-3 constellation, registered with the International Telecommunication Union by France under the name AST-NG-C-3, plans to operate 48 operational satellites at an orbital altitude of 1,414 km, along with 6 in-orbit spares. The ground communications system plans to use 89 antennas with a diameter of 6 meters distributed worldwide to provide communications support for direct satellite connection of mobile phones and other terminals. Satellite command and control will be jointly undertaken by the satellite operations control center in Toulouse, France, and supporting facilities at the headquarters in Covington, Louisiana, United States.

The French frequency license also imposes requirements for international coordination, including compliance with frequency assignment parameters registered with the International Telecommunication Union, frequency coordination agreements reached with other countries and satellite systems, and relevant space radio transmission limits. Certain frequency uses involving the aeronautical mobile-satellite service must also complete the coordination procedures stipulated in the International Radio Regulations.

As of November 9, the Globalstar C-3 system has obtained operating licenses in more than 20 countries across four continents, including recently obtained licenses in Germany and the United States. These approved markets cover a combined population of more than 1 billion. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved C-3 system operations in the United States in October, allowing it to communicate with satellites through relevant ground stations within the United States and supporting direct-to-device services for mobile phones and other terminals. Globalstar plans to begin C-3 constellation launches and subsequent commercial service deployment in 2027.