Inmarsat connects satellite to WA ground stations

Satellite communications company Inmarsat has successfully connected its I-6 F1 satellite to newly completed ground stations in Western Australia, marking a crucial milestone as the company upgrades its communications availability in the fast-growing Asia–Pacific (APAC) region.

I-6 F1 launched in December 2021 and spent seven months travelling to geostationary orbit above the Atlantic, using its all-electric propulsion system. After rigorous in-orbit testing in the second half of 2022, the spacecraft is now at its final orbital slot above the Indian Ocean. The company will begin increasing its capacity and transition services to the new satellite throughout 2023, beginning with the first customers from Q2.

The announcement follows the successful launch of I-6 F1’s twin, I-6 F2, which lifted off from Cape Canaveral in February. Like F1, I-6 F2 will reach its geostationary orbital slot later this year, where it will undergo in-orbit testing. The satellite will enter operational service over Europe, Africa and much of the Americas in mid-2024.

Built in the UK, the I-6 satellites are understood to be the most technologically advanced commercial communications satellites ever launched. They are also the company’s first hybrid satellites, featuring both L-band (ELERA) narrowband and Ka-band (Global Xpress) high-speed broadband communications payloads.

Each of the I-6 satellites offers 50% more L-band capacity than Inmarsat’s entire 1-4 generation of ELERA satellites, effectively doubling its total ELERA capacity. They also provide 20 Ka-band spot beams that can be directed to meet customer demand second by second.

The announcement adds further capabilities to Inmarsat’s ORCHESTRA communications network; a global, multidimensional, dynamic mesh network that is expected to redefine connectivity at scale with the highest capacity for mobility worldwide. ORCHESTRA enables Inmarsat’s partners and customers to keep pace with their growing data demands and enables them to empower emerging technologies in the future, like autonomous vehicles or flying taxis.

“We are seeing rising demand for our services across the board, as airlines offer faster services for passengers, shipping companies use automated navigation and industries aim to decarbonise through the Internet of Things,” said Peter Hadinger, Chief Technology Officer at Inmarsat.

“Our I-6 satellites are designed to meet that demand into the 2040s over two of the busiest regions in the world, as we enable a smarter, more connected society. Having double the beams, 50% more spectrum per beam and double the power of our I-4 satellites, the I-6s’ advanced processors can match customer demand as and where it is needed in real time.”

Image caption: The ground stations were recently constructed in Western Australia.