Bill Carey

Satellite communications provider Iridium Communications (Booth C6924) has started on-orbit testing of its coming Certus service, ushering in a new era of L-band broadband connectivity, the company declared. Based on new-generation Iridium Next satellites, the service promises increased competition against Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband offering.

 


SpaceX successfully placed a third batch of 10 Iridium Next satellites into low-earth orbit on October 9, launching them on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Thirteen Iridium Next satellites have entered service as a result of two previous launches in January and June. With the third launch, there will be 23 operational satellites of 66 planned, with another nine satellites serving as in-orbit spares.

 


Among new capabilities, Iridium Next satellites will host the Certus platform and Aireon’s space-based ADS-B payloads for aircraft surveillance and tracking applications.

 


Iridium started testing and validating Certus in late September by uploading and activating software on the Iridium Next satellites already in orbit; as of October 4 several satellites were undergoing live on-orbit Certus testing, the company said.

 


Current on-orbit testing is focused on Certus 350 the initial service class to be introduced, providing 352 Kbps data speed to support applications such as flight data recorder streaming. Once all service classes are available, Certus will be capable of speeds up to 1.4 Mbps. With a firmware update planned in 2019, Certus 700 will be capable of 704 Kbps, making it competitive with SwiftBroadband’s 432 Kbps per channel speed.

 


“Anywhere where a SwiftBroadband system is targeted today, Certus is a viable option to consider in its place,” said Bryan Hartin, Iridium executive v-p of sales and marketing.

 


Iridium has designated Cobham, L3 Communications, Rockwell Collins and Thales USA as “valued added manufacturers” to build Certus terminals and antennas.

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Iridium Begins On-orbit Testing of New Certus Service

Based on Iridium Next satellites, Certus will usher in a new era of L-band broadband capability, the satellite communications company says.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Tech like this can act as additional eyes for the pilot.

Daedalean’s AI Situational Intelligence Promises Extra Dimension for Flight Safety

Matt Thurber

Addition of radome didn’t affect cruise performance

Epic Certifies Weather Radar for E1000 Turboprops

Charles Alcock

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Destinus has put plans for a hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft on hold

Drone Developer Destinus Acquires AI Pioneer Daedalean

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Upgrade replaces original avionics with touchscreen displays and digital autopilot

Garmin Integrated Flight Deck Approved for Citation CJ1

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

NBAA-BACE 2017

More In Avionics

Daedalean’s AI Situational Intelligence Promises Extra Dimension for Flight Safety

Tech like this can act as additional eyes for the pilot.

Epic Certifies Weather Radar for E1000 Turboprops

Addition of radome didn’t affect cruise performance

Drone Developer Destinus Acquires AI Pioneer Daedalean

Destinus has put plans for a hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft on hold

Garmin Integrated Flight Deck Approved for Citation CJ1

Upgrade replaces original avionics with touchscreen displays and digital autopilot

Appareo Stratus 4 Adds New Features to ADS-B Receivers

A color touchscreen and Apple “Find My” functionality are unique new capabilities

Aspen Avionics Key to Further Airo Group Developments

Company plans to expand with avionics developments and by acquiring flight training firms

Avidyne Gets FAA Nod for Vantage 12 Cirrus Retrofit

Initial deliveries and installations are now underway for more than 4,000 aircraft

Garmin and Hughes Partner on Guided Visual Approaches

More than 31 approaches at 25 airports added to new database

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN