COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) announced today at the 23rd National Space Symposium that Alcatel Alenia Space has awarded EMS a contract valued at more than $5 million to supply RF transmitter power-combining assemblies for the communications payload of Globalstar II, Globalstar's next generation of 48 LEO satellites scheduled to begin launching two years from now.
Mike Fatig, vice president of Business Development, EMS Defense & Space Systems, stated, "Satellite operators want flexible payloads that can redirect their satellite beams wherever they want based on demand. EMS's technology is flexible and cost effective. Our systems have low loss, allowing for increased downlink power, in a small, lightweight form factor. EMS's advanced MultiGuide RF board technology typically offers a 30 percent reduction in mass relative to conventional approaches."
Fatig continued, "We are thrilled to join with Alcatel Alenia Space in replacing Globalstar's current satellite constellation with the latest advances in signal routing to ensure their satellites perform and run as efficiently as possible."
The current Globalstar low-earth-orbiting constellation enables customers to communicate over cell-phone-sized handsets in over 120 countries and at sea, including regions that may never be reached by cellular or landline coverage. The satellites' relative proximity to Earth enables voice and data signals to travel quickly, resulting in crisp, clear, reliable communications, without detectable voice delays. Globalstar plans to begin replacing its LEO constellation in 2009.
The Alcatel Alenia Space contract represents the first major win for EMS in the space sector in 2007.
About Alcatel Alenia Space
Alcatel Alenia Space is the European leader in satellite systems, at the forefront of orbit infrastructures. Created in July 2005, the company brings together the vast experience and know-how of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio to form a new leading force in European space technology. Alcatel Alenia Space represents a worldwide standard for space development that impacts everybody's future: from navigation to telecommunications, from meteorology to environmental monitoring, from defence to science and observation.
About Globalstar
With over 200,000 activated satellite voice and data units, Globalstar offers high value, high quality satellite services to commercial and recreational users from virtually anywhere in more than 120 countries. The company's voice and data products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible service packages. Many land based and maritime industries benefit from Globalstar with increased productivity from remote areas beyond cellular and landline service. Global customer segments include; oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users. Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications. For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) is a wireless and satellite communication solutions leader, serving aeronautical, defense, maritime, commercial space and supply chain markets. Through its LXE, EMS SATCOM, and Defense & Space Systems divisions, EMS keeps people, systems and data connected, wherever they are -- on the ground, in the warehouse, in the air, or in space. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, employs approximately 1,000 people worldwide and operates major manufacturing facilities in Atlanta and Ottawa, Canada.
EMS Technologies' Defense & Space Systems Division develops advanced technology systems for military and space applications. The Division provides critical subsystems for communication, radar and electronic warfare systems.
For more information, visit EMS on the World Wide Web at www.ems-t.com.
Editor's Note: Visit EMS Technologies' Booth #103 at the National Space Symposium, or access the company's NSS Virtual Press Room at: http://www.ems-t.com/nss2007.