The PTR Group, a real-time and embedded technology and engineering services provider, today announced the successful launch of six commercial satellites including the ORBCOMM (News - Alert) Coast Guard Demonstration satellite and five ORBCOMM Quick Launch satellites on June 19 from the Kapustin Yar space center in Russia aboard a Cosmos 3M (News - Alert) rocket. All the six commercial satellites were developed by the The PTR Group Inc., said the company in a release.

 

The PTR Group was a significant contributor to the communications payload flight software present on these satellites. The new communications payloads will enhance ORBCOMM's role as a Machine-to-Machine communications provider. The PTR Group along with NASA's GLAST program has now assisted in the development of a total seven satellites that have launched within the last month.

 

The Coast Guard Demonstration and Quick Launch satellites have the capacity to enhance ORBCOMM's network performance. The satellites were launched into an optimum orbit to augment current satellites that would provide faster message delivery for the ORBCOMM's new and existing customers, said the company. 

Both the satellites are equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) payloads which enable them to receive and report transmissions from AIS-equipped maritime vessels. AIS payloads is an important component of the Coast Guard's monitoring; hence for the security and protection of nation's ports and waterways. The PTR Group, owing to its expertise in the area of VxWorks(R)-based real-time flight software development, worked closely with ORBCOMM systems engineers on the development of both the AIS and network communications software for these satellites.

"We are excited to be a part of this success for ORBCOMM," said Todd Brackett, PTR Group President/CEO. "The establishment of these spacecraft will greatly enhance ORBCOMM's ability to continue to supply quality services to their customers and improve the safety of our ports, we are glad to be part of the team."

 

 

Arun Satapathy is a contributing freelance writer for TMCnet. 

 

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