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Continuous connectivity to low earth orbiting satellites enables a new level of satellite efficiency and commercial possibility

Inmarsat and AddValue sign significant contract, revolutionising commercial and research-focused satellite operations via the Inter-Satellite Data Relay System.

An agreement signed today by Inmarsat, the world’s leading mobile satellite communications company, and flight hardware manufacturer AddValue, together with a leading satellite operator, is set to streamline the way satellite operators conduct their commercial and research operations with small, near earth orbit satellites.

The agreement will allow the spacecraft to stay in continuous communications with their operation centre on the ground, thereby enabling mission tasking and mission data delivery in near real time. This agreement heralds the first constellation of Inter-Satellite Data Relay System (IDRS™) equipped satellites, one that will provide a game changing capability for satellite operators.

Previously, low earth orbiting satellite connectivity has been limited to when the spacecraft is within line-of-sight of an Earth station. This delays in-orbit testing, mission control and fault-finding efforts.  With IDRS on-board, the satellite operators will have access to on-demand, 24/7, near real-time, two-way IP-based links to all of their assets.  This will allow them to respond to customer requirements and to operational anomalies in a timelier manner.

Addvalue has worked with Inmarsat to develop a terminal suitable for deployment on a wide range of satellites, even down to small satellites within the sub-50 kg class. The Addvalue terminal on-board the satellite will communicate to its operations centre via Inmarsat’s award winning, global network. The highly reliable, global, geostationary network is uniquely suited to delivering the cost effective, low-latency, on-demand data communications system, known as IDRS, to support commercial and scientific missions. The combination of light weight and small form factor on-board equipment plus low cost makes the system perfect for carrying out telemetry, tracking, and command  (TT&C) communications and mission tasking, receiving mission data monitoring, trouble-shooting and restoring operations.

Todd McDonell, Vice President of Global Government at Inmarsat, comments on the importance of this partnership: “This service enables the constellation to be controlled and to transfer mission data via Inmarsat’s global geostationary satellite communications network, wherever and whenever required.   This will help low earth orbit satellite operators to achieve their mission more effectively and will broaden the capability that they will be able to offer their users. What’s even more exciting is that this is only the first of a set of potential commercial and research missions appropriate for the IDRS service.”

Dr Colin Chan, Chairman and CEO of Addvalue noted: “We are truly pleased to announce the signing of our first IDRS contract with a satellite operator.  We believe our customer’s use of IDRS, with its unrivalled communications capability, will significantly improve the operational efficiency of their multi-satellite low orbit earth constellation.  This contract recognizes the unique value of IDRS and we strongly believe IDRS will disrupt the way future commercial and research satellite constellations are operated. We are fully committed to ensuring its successful delivery as we pursue other IDRS projects and grow our IDRS customer base. Indeed, some of these projects are already in an advanced stage of discussion”.

Chairman and CEO of Addvalue, Dr Colin Chan, and Todd McDonell, Vice President of Inmarsat Global Government

FURTHER INFORMATION

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat operates around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ISAT.L).

The Inmarsat press release newsfeed and corporate updates are on @InmarsatGlobal.

About Addvalue  (www.addvaluetech.com)

Addvalue Innovation Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SGX Mainboard-listed Addvalue Technologies Ltd (A31), is a leading one-stop digital, wireless and broadband communications technology products innovator, which provides state-of-the-art satellite-based communication terminals and solutions for a variety of voice and IP based data applications. Addvalue is presently a leading global developer and supplier of mobile satellite terminals supporting coverage provided by premier mobile satellite communication system operators. These terminals are an ideal choice for communications in areas around the world where terrestrial networks are non-existent, or ineffective. This is particularly so for maritime communications, which rely almost entirely on satellite communications, where Addvalue’s marine communications terminals are well suited.

Contacts

Alison Stokes
Corporate Communications
Inmarsat
+44 (0)20 7728 1492
[email protected]

 

Yee Ping Tan
Manager, Corporate Communications
Addvalue Technologies Ltd
+65 6509 5705
[email protected]