Zenit destroys 12 Globalstars; failure threatens Sea Launch

Loral Globalstar, a joint venture of Loral Space & Communications and Qualcomm, lost 12 satellites aboard a failed Ukrainian/Russian Zenit rocket on Sep. 10, 1998. The Zenit mishap puts into question Boeing's Sea Launch program, which also employs Zenit. The unprecedented commercial space launch debacle, which destroyed 25% of the planned 48-satellite constellation, will significantly affect the company's plan to compete with Motorola's Iridium program. Each of the satellite cost $15.5 million for a total spacecraft loss of $186 million, although the loss is fully insured, including Zenit launch costs. Meanwhile, the accident is the second in four launches of the Zenit.