07 December 2021

SES and partner Isotropic Systems, a developer of transformational multi-link satellite technology, successfully completed “the first-ever” simultaneous multi-orbit antenna field tests.

Described as a “game changer” as far as multi-satellite and multi-orbit connectivity is concerned, the new versatile antenna successfully connected with SES’s satellites in their geostationary orbit as well as simultaneously connecting with a 03b satellite in medium earth orbit (MEO).

Currently, users are reliant on legacy ground antennas which only connect to a single network at a time. This industry breakthrough enables satellite end-users to combine the best attributes of all available networks achieving superior network uptime and application performance. Isotropic’s deep tech solution multiplies the performance of single antenna solutions to transform the global appeal of satellite connectivity, ensuring critical defence communications infrastructure and delivering multiple broadband that are highly reliable.

SES and Isotropic listed a number of ways in which the technological breakthrough include the fact “NATO and other international forces will finally be able to converge the most advanced military and secure commercial satellites, ensuring total mission assurance around the world”. Another example is that aircraft pilots will be able to connect to the optimal satellites for navigation and ground communications, “while passengers in the cabin can connect to entirely separate satellites in different orbits to access live television, super-fast broadband, and enhanced entertainment options with streaming and gaming”. It will also help the land transport and shipping industries, the partners said.

“We have removed the major bottleneck holding back the expansion of the satellite sector for both commercial and defence communications. Users can finally connect to as many satellites as they want, when they want, wherever they want and that’s a game-changer for enterprise, aero, maritime, government and defence,” said John Finney, founder and chief executive officer of Isotropic Systems.”