Boeing Unit Has Deal for 7 Satellite Launches

Boeing Co. says its Seal Beach-based space unit has signed a deal with Loral Space & Communications to use Boeing’s Delta II rockets for seven communications satellite launches over the next 15 months.

The deal is worth about $385 million.

Each of the Deltas will carry four satellites--for a total of 28--that will be part of the Globalstar Telecommunications Ltd. “constellation” of 56 satellites that will enable the company to offer mobile and fixed telecommunications services around the world.

Loral, which is Globalstar’s major owner and managing partner, decided to relocate part of its launch business to Boeing after a Ukranian rocket carrying a dozen Globalstar satellites blew up late last year.

Officials at Boeing said that the contract isn’t likely to boost employment at the company’s Delta production facility in Huntington Beach, which already had orders for 33 Delta II and 17 Delta III rockets.