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EXHIBIT 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                       ORBCOMM BEGINS CONSENT SOLICITATION

Dulles, VA, January 19, 1999 - ORBCOMM Global, L.P. (ORBCOMM), the first
commercial provider of global low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite data and messaging
communications services, today announced that it has begun to solicit consents
from the holders of its 14% Senior Notes due 2004 (the "Notes").

The consents are being solicited to permit ORBCOMM to make certain proposed
amendments to the Indenture governing the Notes (the "Indenture") in order to,
among other things: (i) provide for the payment of certain administrative
expenses subsequent to a possible future initial public offering; (ii) provide
ORBCOMM greater flexibility in marketing and distributing its products and
services; (iii) consolidate certain categories of permitted indebtedness under
the Indenture; and (iv) make certain other modifications to the Indenture that
address ambiguities and inconsistencies that have been identified since the
Notes were originally issued.

If the requisite consents are received with respect to the proposed amendments,
the Company will pay a consent fee equal to $5.00 per $1,000 principal amount of
the Notes for which consents are received, and not revoked, prior to the
Expiration Date, which is 5:00 p.m. New York City time, February 3, 1999, unless
otherwise extended. The Record Date for the solicitation is January 15, 1999.

Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. is acting as the Solicitation Agent for the
solicitation. Any questions concerning the solicitation may be directed to Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., Liability Management Group, at (877) 696-BEAR (2327),
toll-free.

This press release does not constitute a solicitation in any jurisdiction.


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This release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are based on a number of assumptions and ORBCOMM's actual results and
operations may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such
statements. For a description of factors that may cause ORBCOMM's results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements, please consult the Securities and Exchange Act filings of ORBCOMM
Global, L.P.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

ORBCOMM
Wende Cover
(703) 406-5774
cover.wende@orbcomm.com