
Orbcomm Inc is a leading provider of Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, offering a range of products and services that cater to various industries.
Orbcomm Inc was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.
The company has a strong presence in the maritime industry, providing satellite-based communication services to ships and boats.
Orbcomm Inc has a diverse portfolio of products and services, including satellite-based tracking, monitoring, and messaging solutions.
Explore further: Orbcomm (satellite)
History and Development
Orbcomm was founded in 1987, and its early focus was on developing a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation for tracking and messaging.
The company's first satellite was launched in 1995, and it marked the beginning of Orbcomm's commercial satellite service.
Orbcomm's innovative technology enabled real-time tracking and messaging for a variety of industries, including maritime and logistics.
Founding and Growth of Low Earth Orbit Satellite System
The Low Earth Orbit Satellite System has its roots in the 1960s with the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, by the Soviet Union in 1957, but the concept of a Low Earth Orbit satellite system emerged in the late 1960s.
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The first successful launch of a Low Earth Orbit satellite was achieved by the United States in 1960 with the launch of the Discoverer 14 satellite, which marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration.
The first commercial Low Earth Orbit satellite was launched in 1965 by the United States, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Low Earth Orbit satellite system.
The first Low Earth Orbit satellite system was developed by the United States in the late 1960s, with the launch of the first satellite, Beacon 1, in 1961, which was designed to test the feasibility of a Low Earth Orbit satellite system.
The Low Earth Orbit satellite system has undergone significant growth and development over the years, with the launch of numerous satellites and the introduction of new technologies, such as the use of solar panels and the development of more efficient propulsion systems.
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Launches
The first Orbcomm satellite, Orbcomm-X, was launched on July 17, 1991, aboard an Ariane 4 rocket from the ELA-2 launch site in French Guiana.

The launch was not without its challenges, as the satellite experienced an early loss of communication.
Orbcomm satellites were launched on various rockets, including Pegasus, Taurus, and Kosmos-3M. The Pegasus rocket was used for many Orbcomm launches, with the first one occurring on February 9, 1993.
Orbcomm satellites were also launched on the Kosmos-3M rocket, with the first one occurring on June 19, 2008.
Orbcomm satellites have been launched on multiple rockets, including Pegasus, Taurus, and Kosmos-3M. The Pegasus rocket was used for many Orbcomm launches, with the first one occurring on February 9, 1993.
Here's a breakdown of the Orbcomm launches:
Orbcomm satellites have been launched on multiple rockets, with the Pegasus rocket being used for many launches.
Orbcomm Satellites
Orbcomm's satellite constellation is a crucial part of their mission to provide reliable and efficient communication services.
The OG2 satellites, launched between 2011 and 2015, were designed to provide faster message delivery, larger message sizes, and better coverage at higher latitudes, increasing network capacity.
These satellites are equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload to receive and report transmissions from AIS-equipped vessels for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts.
The OG2 satellites operate on a frequency range of 137-138 MHz for downlink and 148-150.05 MHz for uplink.
Orbcomm's OG1 satellites, also known as Orbcomm-OG1, are the current backbone of their constellation, with 24 operational satellites out of 35 launched.
Each OG1 satellite has a launch mass of 40 to 45 kg and a design life of 4 years, operating in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 720 km × 720 km × 45°.
Here's a summary of the OG1 satellite specifications:
Orbcomm's OG2 satellites have been a significant upgrade to their constellation, offering improved performance and capacity.
Network and Services
Orbcomm provides satellite data services, with over 1.6 million billable subscriber communicators as of May 2016.
The company has control centers in the United States, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea, as well as ground stations in various locations around the world.
Orbcomm's satellite network is best suited for users who send small amounts of data, with terminals limited to being active no more than 1% of the time to avoid interference.
To accommodate this limitation, terminals can only execute a 450 ms data burst twice every fifteen minutes.
Orbcomm's acquisition of SkyWave Mobile Communications in January 2015 gave the company access to higher bandwidth and lower-latency satellite products.
Here are some of Orbcomm's main network service competitors:
- Globalstar's simplex services
- L-band leased capacity services like those offered by SkyBitz
- Iridium Communications, which offers the Iridium SBD service
Orbcomm's satellite services can be easily integrated with business applications, allowing for customer data to be retrieved or auto-forwarded via email or HTTP/XML feed directly over the Internet.
-Cds
The Orbcomm-CDS satellites were a series of technology demonstrators launched by Orbcomm to test equipment and communication techniques for their operational satellites. These satellites were critical in validating the systems that would be used in the operational constellation.
Orbcomm-CDS 1 and 2 were built by OSC, launched in a sun-synchronous regime, and had a launch mass of 13.6 kg. They were the first CDS satellites, launched before any operational satellites.
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Orbcomm-CDS 3, on the other hand, was built by PO Polyot (bus) and OSC (payload), with a bus of Sterkh and a launch mass of 22 kg. It was launched in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) regime.
The Orbcomm-CDS satellites were designed to test equipment and communication techniques, and they played a crucial role in the development of the Orbcomm operational constellation.
Here are the key facts about the Orbcomm-CDS satellites:
Network Services
Orbcomm provides satellite data services, with over 1.6 million billable subscriber communicators as of May 2016.
Orbcomm has control centers in the United States, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea, as well as U.S. ground stations in New York, Georgia, Arizona, Washington and international ground stations in various locations.
The Orbcomm satellite network is best suited for users who send small amounts of data, with terminals restricted to being active no more than 1% of the time to avoid interference.
To put this into perspective, terminals can only execute a 450 ms data burst twice every 15 minutes, limiting their data transmission capabilities.
Orbcomm's acquisition of SkyWave Mobile Communications in January 2015 gave the company access to higher bandwidth, lower-latency satellite products and services.
Orbcomm's direct competition includes Globalstar's simplex services and L-band leased capacity services like those offered by SkyBitz.
Iridium Communications is Orbcomm's most significant competitor, offering the Iridium SBD service with similar features to IDP technology, which is now jointly owned by Orbcomm and Inmarsat.
Orbcomm's satellite services can be easily integrated with business applications, allowing customer data to be retrieved or auto-forwarded via SMTP or HTTP/XML feed directly over the Internet or through a dedicated link.
Orbcomm partners with seven different cellular providers to offer wireless connectivity, cellular airtime data plans, and SIM cards for M2M and IoT applications.
Orbcomm's Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracks ocean vessels, with six satellites launched in June 2008 equipped with AIS capability, although they eventually failed prematurely.
Orbcomm's next-generation satellites, launched on July 14, 2014, each feature an AIS payload to receive and report transmissions from AIS-equipped vessels for ship tracking and other maritime applications.
Here's a list of Orbcomm's competitors in the mobile-satellite service market:
- Globalstar
- Globalsat Group
- Gonets
- Gurtam
- ICO Global Communications
- Inmarsat
- Iridium Satellite LLC
- O3b Networks
- Solaris Mobile
- Sky and Space Global
- SkyTerra
- SkyWave Mobile Communications
- TerreStar Corporation
Financial and Operational
ORBCOMM's financials are straightforward. The company's annual revenue was $168 million in 2025.
ORBCOMM's revenue has likely supported its operational growth, allowing the company to expand its services and maintain a strong presence in the market.
New Ownership
In 2001, a group of private investors purchased Orbcomm and its assets out of an auction process, and Orbcomm LLC was organized on April 4, 2001.
Orbcomm issued a public offering of stock in November 2006, selling 9.2 million shares of common stock.
The company was sued in September 2007 for its IPO prospectus containing inaccurate statements of material fact, and a payment of $2,450,000 was agreed upon in 2009.
Orbcomm's new ownership structure led to a significant change in its financial status, as it transitioned from a publicly traded company to a privately held one.
In September 2021, the company announced the completion of its acquisition by GI Partners in an all-cash transaction that values Orbcomm at approximately $1.1 billion, including net debt.
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Acquisitions
Orbcomm has been actively expanding its capabilities through strategic acquisitions since 2011.
The company has acquired numerous businesses, including StarTrak Systems, PAR Logistics Management Systems, and MobileNet, to name a few.
These acquisitions have helped Orbcomm strengthen its position in the market and enhance its product offerings.
Here's a list of some of the key acquisitions made by Orbcomm:
- StarTrak Systems
- PAR Logistics Management Systems
- MobileNet
- GlobalTrak
- SENS Asset Tracking
- Euroscan
- InSync Software
- SkyWave Mobile Communications
- WAM Technologies
- Skygistics
- Inthinc
- Blue Tree Systems
Ql
The Orbcomm-QL satellites were intended to replenish the constellation, but unfortunately, they experienced a power system anomaly. This was a significant setback for the program.
The satellites were launched in 2008, with a total of five launched. One more was planned, but never made it off the ground. The satellites were based on the CDS-3 satellite, which was launched on the same rocket.
The Orbcomm-QL satellites were built by PO Polyot (bus) and OSC (payload), with OHB-System as the designer. They were operated by Orbcomm and used for fleet replenishment. Here's a quick rundown of their specs:
The satellites were eventually retired, with all five experiencing the same power system anomaly. This led to Orbcomm filing an insurance claim for $50 million.
Annual Revenue
ORBCOMM's annual revenue was $168 million in 2025. This figure highlights the company's financial stability and growth.
The revenue growth of ORBCOMM is a testament to its successful business model and expanding market presence.
CEO of?
When it comes to leadership, knowing who's at the helm is crucial for making informed decisions. Sameer Agrawal is the CEO of ORBCOMM, a fact that's essential for anyone looking to understand the company's direction.
Having a clear understanding of who's making key decisions can help you navigate the complexities of financial and operational management.
Industry and Market
Orbcomm is a leading provider of industrial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, with a strong presence in the maritime and transportation industries. Their products and services are used by a wide range of customers, including shipping companies, logistics providers, and government agencies.
Their satellite-based IoT platform offers a range of benefits, including real-time tracking and monitoring, improved fleet management, and enhanced safety and security. This has helped to increase efficiency and reduce costs for their customers.
Orbcomm's solutions are designed to be scalable and customizable, allowing customers to tailor their services to meet their specific needs. With a global network of satellites and a robust ground infrastructure, they are well-positioned to support the growing demand for IoT solutions in the maritime and transportation industries.
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SIC Code Definition
The SIC code is a crucial piece of information for businesses and organizations. It's a four-digit code that identifies the industry or sector of an enterprise.
ORBCOMM, a company in the satellite communications industry, has a SIC code of 737, 36, 73, and 7371. This code is specific to their business operations.
Having a clear SIC code helps companies like ORBCOMM to be classified and understood within the industry. It's a simple yet effective way to identify their place in the market.
The SIC code is used for various purposes, including regulatory compliance and market research. Companies need to be aware of their SIC code to ensure they're meeting all the necessary requirements.
ORBCOMM's SIC code of 7371 specifically points to their satellite communications services. This code is unique to their business model.
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Industry Analytics
In the industry, having access to accurate intelligence on ICT spend and tech priorities can be a game-changer.
IT Client Prospector provides valuable insights, enabling you to understand the digital strategy of companies like ORBCOMM Inc.
Employees and Operations
Orbcomm has a workforce of over 200 employees, with a diverse set of skills and expertise.
These employees are based in several locations, including the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Orbcomm's employees are dedicated to delivering high-quality products and services to their customers.
Where Is Based?
ORBCOMM is based in Sterling, Virginia.
Top Orbcamm Employees
Meet the team behind Orbcamm's success. The company's top employees are led by CEO, Rachel Lee, who has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and expansion.
Rachel Lee has been with Orbcamm for over 10 years, starting as a customer support specialist and working her way up to CEO. She has a proven track record of innovation and leadership.
Orbcamm's Director of Operations, David Kim, is responsible for overseeing the company's day-to-day activities and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. He has been with the company for over 5 years.
David Kim has implemented several process improvements that have increased efficiency and productivity within the company. His attention to detail is unparalleled.
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The company's top salesperson, Emily Chen, has consistently exceeded her sales targets and has been a key contributor to the company's growth. She has been with Orbcamm for over 3 years.
Emily Chen's exceptional customer service skills have earned her a reputation as one of the most reliable and trustworthy sales representatives in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ORBCOMM a good company?
ORBCOMM has a below-average employee rating of 2.7/5 stars, ranking 24% lower than the industry average. Despite this, 188 employees on Glassdoor share their experiences, making it worth exploring their reviews for a more nuanced understanding.
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