PR
Serving customers rapidly: BlackSky, Inmarsat and Addvalue accelerate Earth Observation with IDRS™
February 16, 2023
Inmarsat, a world leader in global mobile satellite communications and Addvalue, a groundbreaking satellite solution provider and Inmarsat technology partner, are delighted to announce that real-time geospatial intelligence company BlackSky (NYSE BKSY) will include IDRS™ in its next-generation satellite design.
2022 saw significant global growth in Earth Observation activities, with many satellite operators growing their businesses' role from data collection to actionable intelligence capable of delivering true competitive advantage. And it's a trend projected to continue.
To ensure autonomous on-board mission support, Addvalue has designed a new, high-performance LEO satellite antenna system that allows full IDRS™ communications coverage, with no interruption to the satellites' ongoing EO operations.
“Reliable, high-fidelity IDRS™ communications links ensure that our customers can focus on their mission,” said Addvalue CEO, Mr. Tan Khai Pang. “With IDRS™ on board, BlackSky will have access to on-demand, near real-time, two-way IP-based links to all its in-space assets 24/7. This means more efficient and timely responses to customer requirements and any operational needs in its fleet.”
Accessing Inmarsat’s unequalled ELERA global communications network, Addvalue’s IDRS™ terminal is unique in enabling LEO satellites with always on, real-time, on-demand in-orbit communications for mission tasking and data monitoring. The terminal also supports telemetry and command communications, troubleshooting and restoring operations.
“Inmarsat will continue to push the envelope and ensure we provide seamless ‘always on, always available’ global critical communication services to the smallsat community,” said Todd McDonell, President at Inmarsat Global Government. “We are thrilled to be partnering with BlackSky and Addvalue by providing the rapid tasking connectivity network that will drastically reduce the time customers wait to receive critical EO data.”
Until the development of the Addvalue IDRS™ service, commercial EO satellite connectivity was limited to when the satellite was within line of sight of an earth station. This inconsistent contact resulted in delays in mission control, constellation-wide tasking, and orbit testing and fault-finding efforts.
Contacts for media enquiries:
INMARSAT
Jonathan Sinnatt
Corporate Communications
Tel: +44 (0)788 960 5272 / +44 (0) 7725 476 507
ADDVALUE
Yee Ping, Tan
Corporate Communications
Tel: +65 6509 5705
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■ About INMARSAT
Inmarsat delivers world leading, innovative, advanced and exceptionally reliable global, mobile communications across the world – in the air, at sea and on land – that are enabling a new generation of commercial, government and mission-critical services. Inmarsat is powering the digitalisation of the maritime industry, making operations more efficient and safer than ever before. It is driving a new era of inflight passenger services for aviation, while ensuring that aircraft can fly with maximum efficiency and safety. Furthermore, Inmarsat is enabling the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and enabling the next wave of world-changing technologies that will underpin the connected society and help build a sustainable future. And now Inmarsat is developing the first-of-its-kind, multi-dimensional communications network of the future, ORCHESTRA.
In November 2021, Inmarsat and Viasat announced the planned combination of the two companies, to create a new leader in global communications.
Learn more at www.inmarsat.com
■ About ADDVALUE INNOVATION
Addvalue Innovation Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of SGX Mainboard-listed Addvalue Technologies Ltd (A31), is a leading satellite-based communication solutions company. Addvalue provides state-of-the-art communication terminals for use in space, in the air, at sea and on the ground. The company also offers extensive engineering and integration services. Addvalue’s expertise extends far beyond where the world’s terrestrial networks end. Whatever the market or application, the company’s wide range of satellite-based products and services can offer the right technology to drive enhanced connectivity.
Learn more at www.addvaluetech.com