If the launch is not required at that time to complete the Globalstar constellation, it will be reassigned by Loral to another mission. Globalstar earlier announced that it would use a combination of Soyuz and Delta launches, each with four satellites, to launch a minimum of 32 satellites in orbit to support the progressive roll-out of commercial service in the third quarter of 1999.

By December 1999, Globalstar expects to have launched a total of 52 satellites, which will comprise the full operational constellation of 48 satellites, plus four in-orbit spares.

�The Ariane-4 has an excellent flight heritage,� said Megan Fitzgerald, vice president of space systems engineering for Globalstar. �This will provide additional flexibility in our launch schedule as we continue to deploy our space segment for the start of commercial service in the third quarter of 1999.�

Globalstar is the next-generation provider of mobile satellite personal communications services. The Globalstar system, comprising 48 low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites and a global network of ground stations, will provide people around the world with fixed phone and hand-held mobile satellite phone services, as well as data transmission (at up to 9.6 kilobits per second), messaging, facsimile and position location services.

Globalstar is designed to provide cost-effective, high-quality mobile satellite services to customers around the world. Its use of advanced CDMA technology ensures superior voice quality, and its system routes calls through multiple satellites simultaneously, minimizing dropped calls and maximizing completed calls. Globalstar has been conducting handset tests since April of 1998 via the eight satellites it currently has in orbit.

Globalstar now has service provider agreements in more than 100 countries, covering 90 percent of Globalstar's business plan. Five Globalstar gateways are being used to control and test the satellite system, and site work and construction is under way at 20 more gateway sites around the world.

Some subscribers will use portable phones, similar to today's cellular phones, with dual-mode capability so subscribers can switch from conventional cellular telephony to satellite telephony as required. Subscribers in rural and remote areas may make or receive calls through fixed-site telephones, similar either to phone booths or ordinary residential and business telephones. Globalstar phones will communicate through a Globalstar satellite to a gateway--or ground station -- that in turn will connect calls into the existing terrestrial telecommunications network.

Globalstar, led by Loral Space & Communications, is a partnership of the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers, and includes QUALCOMM Incorporated, AirTouch Communications, Alcatel, Alenia, China Telecom (HK), DACOM, Daimler-Benz Aerospace, Elsacom (a Finmeccanica/Elsag Bailey Company), France Telecom, Hyundai, Space Systems/Loral and Vodafone.