Globalstar, a Louisiana-based satellite communications company, unveiled its new control center and announced plans to expand its workforce for a project with tech giant Apple.
Apple’s $1.7 Billion Louisiana Project
Last year, Apple announced that it would provide Globalstar with $1.7 billion in funding. Globalstar operates 24 low-earth orbit satellites and is currently used as part of Apple’s satellite emergency messaging service, which was made a standard feature for messaging on satellite-capable iPhones with the most recent software update.
Globalstar and Apple launched the satellites before the launch of their satellite messaging service in 2022. It was announced that Apple will provide funding to Globalstar to increase its current low Earth orbit fleet from 24 to 32 satellites.
Apple Brings New Jobs To Louisiana
Globalstar relocated its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Covington, Louisiana in 2011, and it is now bringing even more jobs to the state with the new project for Apple. More than half of Globalstar’s workforce is already based in Louisiana, and the company plans to hire 75 more employees.
Globalstar is expanding its operations and has established a new primary satellite operations control center in the Pelican State.
As part of the project, Globalstar signed a $767.1 million contract with Canadian satellite manufacturer MDA Space. MDA Space will produce over 50 advanced digital satellites for Globalstar, which will be added to Apple’s low Earth orbit constellation.
Gloablstar’s control center in Covington will control and manage over 50 satellites orbiting the globe.
