SpaceX to Launch Globalstar Tech in New Partnership—Apple’s Satellites for iPhone Emergency SOS

SpaceX is now confirmed to be the launch partner that would soon bring Globalstar's satellites to orbit, with the companies reaching an agreement to take care of the payload as it ventures to nearby space. It is widely known that Globalstar is Apple's partner for its satellite needs mainly for the iconic feature introduced in the iPhone 14, the Emergency SOS.

Now that the iPhone 15 is coming, Apple needs a more enhanced satellite experience to expand more of its Emergency SOS service for all users of its past, present, and future phones.

SpaceX to Launch Globalstar's Tech in New Partnership

According to NOLA.com, Globalstar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have revealed that it chose SpaceX as its future launch partner to bring its satellites to orbit. This is not the first time that Globalstar has tapped into SpaceX to bring its satellites to orbit, as it did last year which launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

This complemented the arrival of the iPhone 14 as it uses Globalstar's services to connect users to satellite and send out emergency prompts to concerned individuals and rescue operators.

Apple's iPhone Emergency SOS uses Globalstar

Apple's partner for the iPhone's Emergency SOS is Globalstar, and this has been a significant collaboration between the two as this service has proven effective for users who are faced with perilous moments and a terrestrial signal is unavailable.

9to5Mac reported that this partnership between SpaceX and Globalstar would take place by 2025, under a $64 million deal to bring the satellites to orbit. It will empower more of Apple's Emergency SOS, with the growing list of iPhones coming to use this feature.

SpaceX's Partnerships with Competitors

SpaceX has many rivals in the industry which has been matching its different services, but this is not a big deal for the company as it still undertakes missions with them despite being competitors. One of the most iconic examples is Starlink's rivals, including the Project Kuiper satellites from Amazon which previously named SpaceX as its launch partner to bring it to orbit.

However, Amazon is not the only satellite internet service provider that did this. There is also OneWeb, the United Kingdom-based company, which also asked for SpaceX's Falcon to bring their payload to a little outside the planet.

The company's initial partner was Russia, and due to the sanctions that were imposed against them and generally denouncing their actions, OneWeb needed to find an alternative that is reliable and has a track record.

Now, Globalstar is partnering with SpaceX despite Apple not using the company's Starlink which is already in orbit to beam the satellite connection to eligible iPhone devices to use its Emergency SOS service. The missions would start by 2025, with SpaceX fulfilling the delivery part, centering on its trip to orbit with its highly reliable and reusable rocket, the Falcon 9.