Satellite communications company Globalstar marked a major milestone this week with the grand opening of a brand-new satellite operations center at its Covington, Louisiana headquarters. The 10,000-square-foot facility is designed to serve as the nerve center for the company's expanding global network, giving staff the tools to oversee satellite activity and ground station performance with greater precision and efficiency.
The company had a crowd of business leaders, state and federal officials, including FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, for a first look at the $5 million center. The inside included walls of glowing monitors and rows of computer terminals that provide a live look at Globalstar's 24 low-earth orbit satellites and 28 ground stations around the world.
Globalstar executives say the new facility is more than just a high-tech upgrade. It represents a major step forward in how the company manages its satellite infrastructure, optimizes its network, and prepares for future satellite launches. "This is where we'll be keeping eyes on the entire system," said CEO Paul Jacobs, who took the reins in 2023. "We're proud that this next chapter of our global operations is rooted right here in Louisiana."
In 2022, Apple tapped Globalstar to support its Emergency SOS feature for iPhones, a deal that reshaped the company's future. Apple initially invested $450 million, much of which went to Globalstar, and followed up with an additional $1.5 billion to expand the service. Now, iPhones starting with the 14 series can connect to Globalstar satellites when outside of cellular coverage, allowing users to send emergency messages—even from the most remote locations.
"This new center isn't just about technology—it's about impact," said Barbee Ponder, Globalstar's general counsel. "We're no longer serving a niche group. We're supporting hundreds of millions of people around the globe, and growing."
Globalstar's roots date back to the early 1990s, when it was founded as a joint venture between Qualcomm and Loral. The company launched its first satellites in 1998 but struggled financially, filing for bankruptcy a few years later. In 2004, private equity firm Thermo Capital Partners acquired Globalstar's assets and later moved the company's headquarters to Covington—a move influenced by Louisiana's business incentives and Thermo's managing partner, Jay Monroe, a Tulane alum with strong local ties.
At the time, Louisiana leaders hailed the relocation as a significant win for the state's economy. Globalstar initially projected it would bring nearly 600 jobs to the area by 2020. Today, the company has around 400 employees worldwide, with approximately 160 based in Louisiana. While those earlier hiring goals haven't been fully realized, Jacobs says the company is growing again, with plans to add 75 more Louisiana-based roles over the next year.
Much of that growth is being driven by Apple's Emergency SOS rollout. The satellite-based service has already proven life-saving. One notable example: a skier stranded in Washington state earlier this year was rescued after tumbling down a 1,000-foot slope and using his iPhone to send a distress signal through the satellite network.
With its high-profile partnership, cutting-edge operations center, and renewed focus on innovation, Globalstar is poised for a new era. The new facility will operate 16 hours per day from Covington, with overnight monitoring handed off to a counterpart team in Toulouse, France, ensuring 24/7 coverage of its satellite fleet.
For economic leaders in St. Tammany Parish and across Louisiana, Globalstar's expansion is a powerful example of what's possible when advanced technology, global partnerships, and local investment align.
"This is a major momentum boost," said Susan Bourgeois, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development. "Globalstar's partnership with Apple puts our region on the map and shows that Louisiana can compete on the global tech stage—while offering an unbeatable quality of life."
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