Orbcomm’s Generation 2 (OG2) prototype spacecraft has successfully completed random vibration and thermal vacuum testing at Sierra Nevada (SNC) Space Systems facility in Colorado, US.

SNC Spacecraft Systems Programs senior director Pat Remiascz said: "This milestone signals not only the readiness of this vehicle for launch, but also completes the design verification effort for SNC’s SN-100 spacecraft bus and demonstrates its suitability for a variety of space missions."

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“This milestone signals not only the readiness of this vehicle for launch, but also completes the design verification effort for SNC’s SN-100 spacecraft bus and demonstrates its suitability for a variety of space missions."

Following the completion of tests, claimed to be most critical prior to launch, the spacecraft is scheduled to be launched together with SpaceX’s first Cargo Re-supply Services mission aboard Falcon-9 launch vehicle to the International Space Station (ISS).

After an orbit-raising sequence for the launch profile, Orbcomm’s first OG2 spacecraft is expected to operate as a prototype for a total of 18 new satellites, which comprise the company’s second generation satellite network.

Designed to improve Orbcomm’s space-based global machine-to-machine (M2M) network, the satellites will assist in delivering improved messaging performance and higher data transmission speeds.

The company claims that the satellites would also offer increased coverage and improved capacity when compared with its existing first generation constellation.

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Along with the M2M payload, each satellite is also equipped with technology, which will accumulate automatic identification system maritime tracking signals from around the globe, further resulting in global near-real-time operation after completion of the constellation.

With Sierra Nevada as the general contractor for all OG2 spacecraft, Boeing Argon is a subcontractor providing the payload for the spacecraft.