As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2018

Registration Statement No. 333-    

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

ORBCOMM Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

395 W. Passaic Street

Rochelle Park, New Jersey 07662

(703) 433-6300

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

CHRISTIAN G. LE BRUN, Esq.

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Secretary

ORBCOMM, Inc.

395 W. Passaic Street

Rochelle Park, New Jersey 07662

(703) 433-6300

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copy to:

SEY-HYO LEE, Esq.

Winston & Strawn LLP

200 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10166-4193

(212) 294-6700

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

PROSPECTUS

ORBCOMM Inc.

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Units

We may use this prospectus at any time or from time to time to offer, in one or more offerings, our debt securities, shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, warrants to purchase our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock or units consisting of any combination of the foregoing securities. Any or all of the securities may be offered and sold separately or together. The debt securities and preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for other securities.

This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer them. We will provide the specific terms of these securities, and the manner in which these securities will be offered, in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplements before you invest.

We may sell these securities directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering.

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ORBC”.

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 6. You should carefully consider the risk factors described in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement before you decide to purchase these securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is April 13, 2018.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, our debt securities, shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, warrants to purchase our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock or units consisting of any combination of the other securities described in this prospectus.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer and the manner in which we may offer them. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of those securities and the manner in which they will be offered. The applicable prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplements together with the additional information described below under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Documents Incorporated by Reference”.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement. In the event the information set forth in a prospectus supplement differs in any way from the information set forth in this prospectus, you should rely on the information set forth in the prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information and we are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document or that the information we have filed and will file with the SEC that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the filing date of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

References in this prospectus to “ORBCOMM”, “the company”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to ORBCOMM Inc. unless the context indicates otherwise. The term “you” refers to a prospective investor.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information, including the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and exhibits to the registration statement, with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public from the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of any document we file at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at that address. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Information about us, including our SEC filings, is also available on our website at www.orbcomm.com. The information contained on and linked from our Internet site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

We are “incorporating by reference” in this prospectus specified documents that we file with the SEC, which means:

We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below and any documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not incorporating any document or information furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules. Upon written or oral request, we will provide you with a copy of any of the incorporated documents without charge (not including exhibits to the documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents). You may submit such a request for this material to ORBCOMM Inc., 395 W. Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, New Jersey 07662, Attention: Investor Relations, (703) 433-6505.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This prospectus and the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus that have been filed by us with the SEC may contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, estimates, objectives and expectations for future events, as well as projections, business trends and other statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to:

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We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements or cautionary factors except as required by law. For more detail on these and other risks, please see “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

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OUR COMPANY

We are a global provider of industrial Internet of Things (“IoT”) solutions, including network connectivity, devices, device management and web reporting applications. These solutions enable optimal business efficiencies, increased asset utilization and reduced asset write-offs, helping customers realize benefits on a worldwide basis. Our industrial IoT products and services are designed to track, monitor, control and enhance security for a variety of assets, such as trailers, trucks, rail cars, sea containers, power generators, fluid tanks, marine vessels, diesel or electric powered generators, oil and gas wells, pipeline monitoring equipment, irrigation control systems, and utility meters, in industries for transportation & supply chain, heavy equipment, fixed asset monitoring, maritime and government. Additionally, we provide satellite Automatic Identification Service (“AIS”) data services to assist in vessel navigation and to improve maritime safety for government and commercial customers worldwide. Through two acquisitions in 2017, we added to our transportation product portfolio vehicle fleet management, as well as in-cab and fleet vehicle solutions. We provide our services using multiple network platforms, including our own constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites and our accompanying ground infrastructure, as well as terrestrial-based cellular communication services obtained through reseller agreements with major cellular (Tier One) wireless providers. We also offer customer solutions utilizing additional satellite network service options that we obtain through service agreements we have entered into with third party mobile satellite providers. Our satellite-based customer solution offerings use small, low power, mobile satellite subscriber communicators for remote asset connectivity, and our terrestrial-based solutions utilize cellular data modems with subscriber identity modules (“SIMs”). We also resell service using the two-way Inmarsat plc satellite network to provide higher bandwidth, low-latency satellite products and services, leveraging our IsatDataPro technology. Our customer solutions provide access to data gathered over these systems through connections to other public or private networks, including the Internet. We are dedicated to providing what we believe are the most versatile, leading-edge industrial IoT solutions in our markets that enable our customers to run their business operations more efficiently and achieve significant return on investment.

We derive service revenues mostly from monthly fees for industrial IoT connectivity services that consist of subscriber-based, recurring monthly usage fees for each subscriber communicator or SIM activated for use on our satellite network, other satellite networks, and cellular wireless networks that we resell to our customers (i.e., our MCPs, MCAs and direct customers). We also generate AIS service revenues from subscription based services supplying AIS data to customers and resellers. In addition, we earn service revenues from extended warranty service agreements extending beyond the initial warranty period of one year, installation services, royalty fees from third parties for the use of our proprietary communications protocol charged on a one-time basis for each subscriber communicator connected to our industrial IoT data communications system and fees from providing engineering, technical and management support services to customers. We derive product revenues primarily from sales of complete industrial IoT telematics devices, modems and cellular wireless SIMs (for our terrestrial-communication services) to our resellers (i.e., our MCPs and MCAs) and direct customers.

Customers benefiting from our network, products and solutions include original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), such as Caterpillar Inc., Doosan Infracore America, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd., John Deere, Komatsu Ltd., and Volvo Construction Equipment; vertical market technology integrators known as value-added resellers (“VARs”) and international value-added resellers (“IVARs’), such as I.D. Systems, Inc. and American Innovations, and Value-added Solutions Providers, such as Onixsat, Satlink and Sascar (collectively referred to as Market Channel Partners or MCPs); and end-to-end solutions customers such as Carrier Transicold, Thermo King, C&S Wholesale, Canadian National Railways, CR England, Hub Group, Inc., JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (“JB Hunt”), KLLM Transport Services, Marten Transport, Prime Inc., Swift Transportation, Target, Tropicana, Tyson Foods, Walmart and Werner Enterprises.

Our principal executive offices are located at 395 W. Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, New Jersey 07662, and our telephone number is (703) 433-6300. Our website is www.orbcomm.com and information contained on our website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

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RISK FACTORS

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you decide to purchase these securities, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as updated by periodic and current reports that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. Any of these risks could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from anticipated future results or could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in these securities. Please also refer to the section above entitled “Cautionary Statement”.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we anticipate that the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, future acquisitions as part of our strategy to pursue growth opportunities, debt repayment, stock repurchases, working capital and/or capital expenditures. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested before use.

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DILUTION

If required by SEC rules, we will set forth in a prospectus supplement the following information regarding any material dilution of the equity interests of investors purchasing securities in an offering under this prospectus:

CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges and to combined fixed charges and preference dividends for each of the periods indicated.

For purposes of this table: “Earnings” are defined as pre-tax income from continuing operations, adjusted for fixed charges, interest capitalized and income from non-controlling interests of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges. “Fixed charges” are defined as interest on borrowings (whether expensed or capitalized), including one-third of net rent expense, which is the portion deemed representative of the interest factor. “Preference Security Dividend” is defined as the amount of pre-tax earnings required to pay the dividends on our outstanding preferred stock.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue the debt securities offered by this prospectus under an indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee to be selected by us (“this indenture”). We have summarized certain provisions of this indenture below. The summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to this indenture. The form of indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement for these securities that we have filed with the SEC. If we elect to issue debt securities under another indenture, we will describe certain provisions of that indenture in a prospectus supplement. Our ability to issue debt securities may be restricted under the terms of our other indebtedness, including our senior secured notes. The terms of such other indebtedness are set forth in a separate indenture and related documents governing our senior secured notes that have been filed with the SEC.

When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities under the indenture described below, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a prospectus supplement.

We encourage you to carefully read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplements and this indenture.

General

This indenture provides that we may issue debt securities in one or more series and does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. The debt securities may be senior debt securities or subordinate debt securities. We will include in a supplement to this prospectus the specific terms of debt securities being offered, if any, on which debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other debt securities. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct unsecured obligations. Any debt securities designated as senior will rank equally with any of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. Any debt securities designated as subordinated will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness. There may be subordinated debt securities that are senior or junior to other series of subordinated debt securities. We may also issue additional amounts of a series of debt securities without the consent of the holders of that series.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any series of debt securities being offered, including the following:

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We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. If there are any material special U.S. federal income tax considerations or other material special considerations applicable to debt securities we sell at an original issue discount, we will describe them in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material special U.S. federal income tax considerations and any other material special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars.

Form and Denominations

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities issued as registered securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars in multiples of $1,000. This indenture provides that we may issue debt securities in global form and in any denomination. Please see “—Global Securities” below.

Registration, Transfer and Exchange

A holder may exchange registered debt securities for other registered debt securities of the same series, in authorized denominations and with the same principal amount and terms. Debt securities may be exchanged, and a transfer of registered debt securities may be registered, at the office of the security registrar. We may also designate a transfer agent for this purpose for any series of debt securities. No service charge will be made for any exchange or transfer, but payment of any taxes or other governmental charges will be required. We may change the place for exchange and registration of transfer, and may rescind any designation of a transfer agent, at any time. If debt securities of a series are issuable in registered form, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for that series. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.

If debt securities of a particular series are to be redeemed, we will not be required to issue, exchange or register the transfer of:

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Global Securities

We may issue one or more series of the debt securities in the form of global securities that will be deposited with a depositary. This means that we will not issue certificates to each holder of debt securities of that series. Instead, one or more global securities will be issued to the depositary, which will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased these debt securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased these debt securities.

Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of those interests will be made only through, records maintained by the depositary and its participants. We will make payments on the debt securities represented by a global security only to the depositary, as the registered holder of these debt securities. All payments to the participants are the responsibility of the depositary, and all payments to the beneficial holders of the debt securities are the responsibility of the participants.

Certificates for the debt securities of the series in question may be issued to beneficial holders in some circumstances, including termination of the depositary arrangements by us or the depositary.

If debt securities are to be issued as global securities, the prospectus supplement will name the depositary and will describe the depository arrangements and other applicable terms.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payments for registered debt securities will be made at the office of the trustee in New York, New York. However, we may choose instead to pay principal by check to the registered owner against surrender of the debt securities or to pay interest on registered debt securities by (i) check mailed to the address of the registered owner or (ii) transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the registered owner. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each interest payment on registered debt securities will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest payment.

We may from time to time designate additional offices or agencies for payment with respect to any debt securities, approve a change in the location of any such office or agency and, except as provided above, rescind the designation of any such office or agency.

Payments on any debt securities that are payable in a currency other than dollars may be made in dollars in certain circumstances when that currency is no longer used. The prospectus supplement for any such debt securities will describe the circumstances in which this will occur.

Any moneys we deposit with the trustee or paying agent for the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any debt security that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the payment is due and payable will be repaid to us upon our request. Thereafter, the holder of the debt security will look only to us for that payment.

Covenants

Any covenants pertaining to a series of debt securities will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities. Except for covenants applicable to debt securities as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, there are no covenants or other provisions contained in this indenture that may afford holders of debt securities protection if there is a leveraged buyout or other highly leveraged transaction involving us.

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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, or convey or transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any other entity, so long as certain specified conditions are met, including:

The successor corporation formed by the consolidation or merger, or to which the conveyance or transfer is made, shall succeed to and be substituted for us under this indenture and thereafter we will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this indenture and the debt securities.

Covenant Defeasance

The prospectus supplement will state whether this indenture’s covenant defeasance provisions apply to the series of debt securities being offered. If these provisions apply, (i) we may omit to comply with certain covenants and (ii) the noncompliance will not be deemed to be an event of default under this indenture and the debt securities, if we irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, sufficient money or U.S. government securities to pay the principal of (and premium, if any), interest, if any, and any other sums payable on the debt securities when due. We must also deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to the same federal income tax consequences as if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. Our obligations under this indenture and debt securities, other than with respect to the relieved covenants referred to above, and the events of default, other than the relieved event of default referred to above, will remain in full force and effect.

Modification of Indenture and Waiver of Certain Covenants

Without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of each series affected, we and the trustee may execute a supplemental indenture for limited purposes, including adding to our covenants or events of default, curing ambiguities, appointing a successor trustee and other changes that do not adversely affect the rights of a holder of debt securities.

With the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected, we and the trustee may also execute a supplemental indenture to change this indenture or modify the rights of the holders of debt securities of any series. However, the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected is required for execution of a supplemental indenture that would (i) change the maturity of principal or interest, if any, on any debt security, reduce the amount of any principal, premium or interest payment, change the currency in which any debt security is payable or impair the right to bring suit to enforce any payment rights, or (ii) reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of the series whose consent is required to authorize the supplemental indenture.

The holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series may waive our compliance with certain covenants in this indenture with respect to that series.

This indenture contains provisions for determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of outstanding principal amount of a series of debt securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, in cases where debt securities were issued at a discount, or where the principal amount was denominated in a foreign currency. In addition, for these purposes, debt securities owned by us or our affiliates are deemed not to be outstanding.

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Defaults and Certain Rights on Default

An “event of default” with respect to any series of debt securities is defined in this indenture as any of the following events:

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series. We are required to deliver to the trustee annually a written statement as to the fulfillment of our obligations under this indenture.

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the principal amount of all the debt securities of the series to be immediately due and payable. The declaration may, under certain circumstances, be rescinded by the holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of the series.

Other than its duties in case of an event of default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under this indenture at the request of any of the holders of debt securities, unless the holders offer to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security or indemnity, subject to certain limitations described in this indenture, the holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee. The holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series may waive any past default with respect to debt securities of the series except a default in payment on any of the debt securities of the series or a default with respect to a covenant that cannot be modified without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected.

Conversion Rights

If applicable, the terms of debt securities of any series that is convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities or property will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement. These terms will describe whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These terms may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or other securities or property to be received by the holders of debt securities would be subject to adjustment.

Governing Law

This indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock, as amended or superseded by any applicable prospectus supplement, includes a summary of certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended bylaws. This description is subject to the detailed provisions of, and is qualified by reference to, our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended bylaws, copies of which have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

We are authorized to issue (1) 250,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share, of which 74,751,626 shares were issued outstanding and 29,990 shares were held in treasury as of March 2, 2018 and (2) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share, of which 1,000,000 shares are designated as Series A convertible preferred stock and 37,544 shares were outstanding as of March 2, 2018. The authorized shares of our common stock and preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless the action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. If the approval of our stockholders is not so required, our board of directors may determine not to seek stockholder approval.

Certain of the provisions described below could have the effect of discouraging transactions that might lead to a change of control of us. These provisions:

Common Stock

Dividends. Holders of common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. Dividends may not be paid on common stock unless all accrued dividends on preferred stock, if any, have been paid or set aside. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share pro rata in the assets remaining after payment to creditors and after payment of the liquidation preference plus any unpaid dividends to holders of any outstanding preferred stock.

Voting. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each such share outstanding in the holder’s name. No holder of common stock is entitled to cumulate votes in voting for directors.

Other Rights. Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless otherwise determined by our board of directors, no holder of shares of common stock will have any right to purchase or subscribe for any stock of any class that we may issue or sell.

Preferred Stock

General. Our restated certificate of incorporation permits us to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in one or more series and with rights and preferences that may be fixed or designated by our board of directors without any further action by our stockholders. The designations and the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed by an amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation relating to each series adopted by our board, including:

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Although our board of directors has no intention at the present time of doing so, it could issue a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt.

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

General. Our Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock authorizes us to issue up to 1,000,000 shares designated as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”. Holders of Series A convertible preferred stock are entitled, in preference to holders of common stock, to such dividends as the board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for the purpose and payments upon our dissolution, liquidation and winding-up of ORBCOMM.

Dividends. Holders of the Series A convertible preferred stock are entitled to receive a cumulative 4% dividend annually (calculated on the basis of the redemption price of $10.00 per share) payable quarterly in additional shares of the Series A convertible preferred stock.

Conversion. Shares of the Series A convertible preferred stock are convertible into 1.66611 shares of common stock: (1) at the option of the holder at any time or (2) at our option beginning six months from the issuance date and if the average closing market price for our common stock for the preceding twenty consecutive trading days equals or exceeds $11.20 per share.

Voting. Each share of the Series A convertible preferred stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible.

Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, sale or merger of ORBCOMM, the holders of the Series A convertible preferred stock are entitled to receive prior to and in preference over the common stock, an amount equal to $10.00 per share plus unpaid dividends.

Redemption. The Series A convertible preferred stock may be redeemed by us for an amount equal to the issuance price of $10.00 per share plus all unpaid dividends at any time after two years from the issuance date.

No Sinking Fund. The shares of the Series A convertible preferred stock will not be entitled to benefit of any sinking or purchase fund to be applied to the redemption to purchase of such stock.

Other. The affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the aggregate number of shares at the time outstanding of the Series A convertible preferred stock is required for us to

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authorize, create or increase any capital stock ranking equal or prior to the Series A convertible preferred stock as to dividends or liquidation rights, or change any of the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series A convertible preferred stock to adversely affect it.

Certain Provisions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended Bylaws

Our restated certificate of incorporation and amended bylaws contain various provisions intended to (1) promote the stability of our stockholder base and (2) render more difficult certain unsolicited or hostile attempts to take us over which could disrupt us, divert the attention of our directors, officers and employees and adversely affect the independence and integrity of our business.

Classified Board of Directors. Pursuant to our restated certificate of incorporation and amended bylaws the number of directors is fixed by our board of directors. Other than directors elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock or any other series or class of stock except common stock, our directors are divided into three classes. Each class consists as nearly as possible of one third of the directors. Directors elected by stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders will be elected by a plurality of all votes cast. The terms of office of the three classes of director will expire, respectively, at our annual meetings in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The term of the successors of each such class of directors will expire three years from the year of election.

Removal of Directors; Vacancies. Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in our restated certificate of incorporation, directors serving on a classified board of directors may be removed by the stockholders only for cause. Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed only for cause upon the affirmative vote of holders of 75% of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that any vacancy created by removal of a director shall be filled by a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors even though such majority may be less than a quorum.

Special Meetings; Written Consent. Our restated certificate of incorporation and amended bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors. Stockholders are not permitted to call, or to require that the board of directors call, a special meeting of stockholders. Moreover, the business permitted to be conducted at any special meeting of stockholders will be limited to the business brought before the meeting pursuant to the notice of the meeting given by us. In addition, our amended and restated certificate provides that any action taken by our stockholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by written consent instead of a meeting. Our amended bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before meetings of our stockholders.

Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3 % of the voting power of all of our outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, would be required to amend or repeal the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation with respect to:

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In addition, our restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors may make, alter, amend and repeal our amended bylaws and that the amendment or repeal by stockholders of any of our amended bylaws would require the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the voting power described above, voting together as a single class.

Delaware Takeover Statute

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” (as defined below) with any “interested stockholder” (as defined below) for a period of three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless: (1) prior to such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (2) on consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (x) by persons who are directors and also officers and (y) by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or (3) on or subsequent to such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law defines “business combination” to include: (1) any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; (2) any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; (3) subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; (4) any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or (5) the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation. In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation and amended bylaws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Computershare is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock and our Class A convertible preferred stock. The transfer agent for any other series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by the provisions of the warrant agreement that we will enter into with a warrant agent we select at the time of issue. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

General

We may issue warrants evidenced by warrant certificates under the warrant agreement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants, including:

Rights as Holders of Debt Securities

Debt warrant holders, as such, will not have any of the rights of holders of debt securities, except to the extent that the consent of debt warrant holders may be required for certain modifications of the terms of an

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indenture or form of the debt security, as the case may be, and the series of debt securities issuable upon exercise of the debt warrants. In addition, debt warrant holders will not be entitled to payments of principal of and interest, if any, on the debt securities.

No Rights as Stockholders

Holders of stock warrants, as such, will not be entitled to vote, to consent, to receive dividends or to receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as our stockholders.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue, in one or more series, units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in any combination. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the units are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of units. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses and the complete unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the units.

General

Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

If we issue units, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the series of units being offered, including:

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any common stock or preferred stock, debt security or warrant included in each unit, respectively.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus, including:

The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:

Offerings of our equity securities under this prospectus may also be made into an existing trading market for the securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either:

The at-the-market offerings, if any, will be conducted by underwriters, dealers or agents acting as principal or agent for us, who may also be third-party sellers of securities as described above.

Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers or agents may be changed from time to time. Underwriters, dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be “underwriters” as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters, dealers or agents and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Sales through Underwriters or Dealers

Underwriters or the third parties described above may offer and sell the offered securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement in connection with any particular offering of securities.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

Some or all of the securities that we offer through this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell the offered securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.

We may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus through:

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

We may sell the securities directly. Direct sales to investors may be accomplished through subscription offerings or through subscription rights distributed to our stockholders. In connection with subscription offerings or the distribution of subscription rights to stockholders, if all of the underlying offered securities are not subscribed for, we may sell such unsubscribed offered securities to third parties directly and, in addition, whether or not all of the underlying offered securities are subscribed for, we may concurrently offer additional offered securities to third parties directly.

If indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, we may sell the securities through agents from time to time, which agents may be affiliated with us. The applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Indemnification; Other Relationships

Agents, underwriters and other third parties described above may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents, underwriters and such other third parties may be customers of ours, engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed on for us by Winston & Strawn LLP, New York, New York. If legal matters in connection with offerings of securities made pursuant to this prospectus are passed up on by counsel for underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement related to such offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and schedule of ORBCOMM Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated fees and expenses (other than underwriting compensation) payable by us in connection with the offering of the securities being registered.

Item 15. Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Delaware General Corporation Law permits Delaware corporations to eliminate or limit the monetary liability of directors for breach of their fiduciary duty of care, subject to certain limitations. Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that our directors are not liable to ORBCOMM or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to ORBCOMM or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) for willful or negligent violation of the laws governing the payment of dividends or the purchase or redemption of stock or (4) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent to ORBCOMM. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Our amended bylaws and the appendix thereto provide for the indemnification of our directors, officers, employees and agents to the extent permitted by Delaware law. Our directors and officers are insured against certain liabilities for actions taken in such capacities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

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Item 16. Exhibits.

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Item 17. Undertakings.

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Rochelle Park, State of New Jersey, on the 13th day of April, 2018.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed on the 13th day of April, 2018, by the following persons in the capacities indicated:

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