Aust space launch to use Inmarsat telemetry system

Gilmour Space Technologies, a developer of orbital-class launch vehicles and satellite platforms, has announced that Australia’s first orbital rocket launch is scheduled for 2023 and will be supported by space telemetry provided by satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat. The UK company has signed an agreement with Gilmour Space to support space launches from Australia using Inmarsat’s InRange system.

Ordinarily, new launch providers or locations would need to invest significant sums to create a ground-based telemetry system to track their rockets during the launch phase, which is time-consuming and costly. This creates major barriers to entry and prevents wider competition in the global launch market. In addition, to achieve a consistent real-time telemetry link from terrestrial tracking systems, a launch vehicle must always stay within line of sight of a ground station and operators need to send data to ground stations pointed toward the sky. When rockets are positioned between two ground stations separated by an ocean, for example, no telemetry information about the health of a rocket is available within what is termed a ‘blackout zone’. This dependency on ground stations can induce high operational inflexibility and a reduction in payload launch mass, while causing delays in launches.

Inmarsat’s InRange is designed to provide rapid, responsive and cost-effective launch telemetry for launch vehicle operators, offering real-time information on the trajectory of the rocket via satellite rather than ground stations, eliminating blackout zones. The concept utilises global coverage from Inmarsat’s constellation of ELERAL-band geostationary (GEO) satellites as a data relay link for launch vehicles. With no dependency on down-range ground stations, InRange is said to establish complete geographical freedom for launch operations on demand, with 99.9% reliability over Inmarsat’s network and the potential to significantly reduce launch costs and barriers to entry to the launch market.

Space launch is a new focus and priority in Australia and Inmarsat is building on more than 30 years of partnership and presence in Australia to support this new capability. The company already supports the Australian Defence Force, has built new ground stations in Australia for its recently launched I-6 F1 satellite and is looking to deliver for the JP9102 Australian Defence Satellite Communication System project. The development and utilisation of InRange in the advancement of Australia’s space capabilities is an example of how Inmarsat innovations are capable of supporting important government programs.

“Inmarsat has a long and storied partnership with Australia and the opportunity to support the nation’s ambitions in launching satellites from Australian soil with Gilmour Space Technologies enables us to continue to grow our presence and partnership still further,” said Rajeev Suri, CEO of Inmarsat. “Inmarsat InRange can accelerate Australia’s ambitions by providing telemetry from space and avoiding the need to finance and build terrestrial-based telemetry solutions.”

“Our Eris rocket, which is targeted to launch early next year, will be Australia’s first orbital rocket and first orbital launch attempt from a commercial Australian launch site,” added Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space. “We are also developing the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland and it’s been fantastic to work with Inmarsat as a well-established partner, to help us demonstrate space-based telemetry for our first and future Eris launches from Australia.”

Image caption: Artist impression of Gilmour Space’s Eris rocket.