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BlackSky will include the Inmarsat and Addvalue Inter-satellite Data Relay Service (IDRS) into its next-generation satellite design.
Addvalue has designed a new, high-performance Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite antenna system that allows full IDRS communications coverage, with no interruption to the satellites ongoing Earth Observation (EO) operations.
Addvalue CEO, Tan Khai Pang, said: “Reliable, high-fidelity IDRS communications links ensure that our customers can focus on their mission. 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 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.
Todd McDonell, President at Inmarsat Global Government, added: “Inmarsat will continue to push the envelope and ensure we provide seamless ‘always on, always available’ global critical communication services to the smallsat community. 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 IDRS service, commercial EO connectivity was limited to when the satellite was within line of sight of an Earth station. According to Inmarsat, the inconsistent contact resulted in delays in mission control, constellation-wide tasking, orbit testing and fault-finding efforts.
