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Iridium Satellite News

04 Mar 2024

Iridium Acquires Satelles

Image courtesy Iridium

Iridium Communications has entered into an agreement to acquire Satelles, Inc., a leader in secure satellite-based time and location services that complement and protect GPS and other GNSS-reliant systems. The service, named Satellite Time and Location (STL), is designed as an easy-to-adopt, secure solution that increases the efficiency and reliability of timing systems for digital infrastructure like 5G base stations, data centers, and other critical infrastructure and protects…

10 Nov 2021

Iridium Certus 100 Service Launched

(Image: Iridium)

Iridium Communications Inc. announced the commercially availability of its Iridium Certus 100 "midband" service for maritime, land mobile, IoT, aviation and government customers. Iridium Certus 100 provides a blend of capabilities for satellite connectivity, enabling small, low-profile antennas and battery-powered devices designed for maximum mobility, but with IP data speeds that efficiently support sending important pictures, emails and other vital information from remote places…

01 Oct 2021

Academia’s Climate Change Challenge is Far from Academic

Mesobot, an underwater robot capable of tracking and recording high-resolution images of slow-moving and fragile zooplankton, gelatinous animals, and particles, is providing researchers with deeper insight into the vast mid-ocean region known as the twilight zone. © Evan Kovacs/©Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Highlighted in Marine Technology Reporter's MTR100 is the work and technology ongoing in the halls of academia. The most recent report released by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasized our warming planet, an expected announcement for many in the scientific community. Faced with the confirmation that human activities have caused an increase in global temperatures, research has turned to seeking answers in the planet’s natural systems. How does each part of the global carbon cycle work and how may it be impacted by the changing climate?

16 Jun 2021

Dongara Marine Delivers Its First Rescue RIB

(Photo: Dongara Marine)

The first newbuild rigid inflatable boat (RIB) built by Dongara Marine has entered into service, heralding a raft of government and RIB contracts for the Western Australian boatbuilder.The newbuild, Cape Rose, was completed at the end of last year and has been operating for Marine Rescue Shark Bay since delivery to Denham in early in 2021. It has replaced a response vessel that had serviced the Western Australia (WA) coastline for more than 20 years, both with the group and previously…

19 Apr 2021

Wärtsilä to Supply Navigation Systems for 10 Arctic LNG Carriers

(Image: Wärtsilä)

Wärtsilä Voyage has signed a contract to deliver radio and integrated navigation systems for 10 icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be constructed for the Arctic LNG-2 project.The order was placed in January 2021 and is now in process of execution, in partnership with South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd shipyard. The new contract is an extension of the announcement made last summer, where Wärtsilä Voyage equipped five LNG carriers with integrated bridge systems under the same project.

15 Feb 2021

Subsea Defense: Navy Deepens Commitment to Underwater Vehicles

Senior Chief Mineman Abraham Garcia (left) and Aerographer's Mate 1st Class Joshua Gaskill, members of the Knifefish Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) test team, man tending lines during crane operations as part of an operational test conducted by members from Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR). Knifefish is a medium-class mine countermeasure UUV designed for deployment off the Littoral Combat Ship. OPTEVFOR is the Navy’s sole test and evaluation organization for surface, air, and un

The U.S. Navy uses unmanned and robotic underwater vehicles for a multitude of functions, including environmental sensing, mine hunting, and salvage. The Navy plans to evolve an unmanned systems operating concept that is platform agnostic and capable of operating in highly complex contested environments with minimal operator interaction.The most recent edition of the Navy’s Unmanned Systems (UxS) Roadmap was issued in 2018, and a new version is expected in the near future. The 2018 document states that UxS will operate in every domain…

04 Jan 2021

MetOcean Wins USCG Contract to Supply SAR Buoy

Image Courtesy MetOcean

MetOcean Telematics (MetOcean) won a five-year blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to supply the United States Coast Guard (USCG) with its  search and rescue buoy, the Iridium Self Locating Datum Marker Buoy, also known as the iSLDMB.The United States Coast Guard is a a core-user of the iSLDMB, and during an active SAR event, the MetOcean iSLDMB allows Coast Guardsto quickly travel to the event location via aircraft and then deploy the buoys by air in the region of interest, helping to significantly reduce overall search time.

15 Dec 2020

Iridium's GMDSS Service Goes Live

© Suphanat / Adobe Stock

Satellite communications provider Iridium Communications Inc. announced Tuesday that its Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) service officially went live on Friday, December 11, ending a monopoly held by rival Inmarsat and enhancing the integrity of global safety communications for seafarers globally.GMDSS is an internationally regulated service, governed by the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention. It provides life-saving assistance to seafarers in distress and has required equipment on board more than 60…

16 Jul 2020

Wärtsilä to Supply Bridge Systems for Five Icebreaking Gas Carriers

(File photo: Wärtsilä)

Finland-based marine engine and technology provider Wärtsilä said it has been contracted to deliver a complete bridge systems installation for five icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled tankers to be constructed for the Arctic LNG-2 project. The navigational systems are delivered by Wärtsilä Voyage, the new business responsible for digital solutions and decision support tools to enhance safety and reliability of shipping operations.The order with Wärtsilä Voyage was placed in the first quarter of 2020 and now is in process of execution…

27 Feb 2020

Cobham SATCOM Announces Software Upgrade

Photo: Cobham

Cobham SATCOM has announced the launch of its latest software upgrade for SAILOR 4300 L-Band, the first terminal in Cobham’s portfolio of Iridium Certus Connected range solutions. The unveiling of software solution 1.05 follows the delivery of more than 2,000 SAILOR 4300 terminals within the first year of service and enables users to upgrade to the new Iridium Certus 700, which offers data speeds of up to 704 kbps. Launched in 2018, SAILOR 4300 L-Band is a highly reliable link to the low-latency…

29 Oct 2019

IMO Focus on SatCom

Terrestrial and satellite radio-communications are essential for routine communications and navigation and for ensuring the effective operation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), to protect lives at sea.International Maritime Organization (IMO)  is at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radio-communication Conference (WRC-19), in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, (28 October - 22 November) with the message that the integrity of maritime radio-communication services needs to be protected.The use of radio spectrum allocated to existing (and future) maritime radio-communication services must be safeguarded.An important item on the WRC-19 agenda is to support the introduction of the Iridium satellite system in the GMDSS…

07 Feb 2019

Yanmar Develops Auto-navigation Robotic Boat, Auto-docking System

Yanamr's innovative Robotic, auto docking boat (CREDIT: Yanmar)

Yanmar has undertaken development of underlying technologies for robotic boats and auto-docking, technologies that are expected to see service in operations in dangerous waters, maritime surveys, or smart fisheries.While development of autonomous vehicles for the road and the farm continues apace, maritime robotics technologies have yet to become established. With long established track record of R&D in various fields of robotics and IT, Yanmar has been working to meld the hardware…

14 Jun 2018

Rock Seven and Blue Sky Network Partner

SkyRouter (Photo: Blue Sky Network)

Communications technology and services developer Rock Seven said it has partnered with Blue Sky Network, a provider of mission-critical, satellite-based fleet management, tracking and operational analytics solutions serving private, commercial and government customers worldwide.This long-term cooperation will support growth in Blue Sky Network’s maritime strategy, but additionally has ramifications for clients in the aviation and land sectors.Headquartered in San Diego with a wholly-owned subsidiary in Brazil…

24 Mar 2018

Radio Holland, Lars Thrane Team

Radio Holland Group and Lars Thrane A/S concluded a global distribution agreement for the LT-3100 Iridium system. As a ‘kick-off’, mid-March Peter Thrane (CEO & Co-founder) and Thomas Flinth (Sales Manager) visited the Rotterdam office of Radio Holland Netherlands for a sales presentation, a commercial and a technical training. The global agreement enables every Radio Holland office in the world to distribute the LT-3100 Iridium system as well as perform after-sales service and maintenance. Peter Thrane said, “The distribution agreement with the Radio Holland Group is a major step forward for us. The global presence and professional approach to the market has given Radio Holland a strong name in the marine business. The LT-3100 is based on the Iridium satellite network.

09 Oct 2017

Iridium NEXT Successful Third Launch

Photo: Iridium

Iridium Communications has announced the successful third launch and deployment of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites. The satellites were delivered into low-Earth orbit approximately one hour after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 5:37 a.m. PDT. With two successful launches having already been completed this year, this third batch of 10 satellites brings the total number of Iridium NEXT satellites in orbit to 30, nearly half the amount required for a full Iridium NEXT operational constellation.

28 Jul 2017

GPLink, Wheelhouse Partner on Maintenance & Tracking

gplink has announced a partnership with Wheelhouse Technologies, creating a comprehensive perspective on vessel upkeep through seamless integration to the Wheelhouse marine maintenance system. Pleasure craft, commercial vessel, and fleet owners can now enjoy the benefits of real-time vessel monitoring, tracking and support, from gplink along with a simple and easy-to-use interface; charting the course to proper vessel maintenance, spare parts management, and document tracking.

08 Dec 2016

GSM Tariff Launched for RockFLEET Dual-Mode Vessel Tracking System

Iridium satcom specialist Rock Seven has launched a new fixed monthly GSM tariff for users of its dual-mode vessel tracking system, RockFLEET. The new £10/month subscription covers all vessel tracking and M2M (Machine-to-Machine) data transmitted over GSM networks by the RockFLEET system when operating within GSM coverage. As standard the RockFLEET system provides vessel GPS location reports at user-defined intervals using the global Iridium satellite Short Burst Data (SBD) service, but Rock Seven has seen demand for dual-mode operation using its optional GSM module rise. In dual mode-operation RockFLEET automatically switches from satellite to transmit GPS and M2M data over 2G/3G/4G and GPRS networks when available.

30 Nov 2016

New Satellite Communications System For Workboats

OmniCom (Photo: McMurdo)

McMurdo has announced a new global satellite communications system, McMurdo OmniCom, the first in a family of products that will be rolled out over the next six months to provide complete worldwide fleet management and vessel monitoring solutions for the workboat, commercial fishing and artisanal fishing industries. McMurdo OmniCom is an integrated solution for commercial fleet operations that combines worldwide satellite coverage for constant communications to and from remote vessels with PRISMA Connect…

08 Sep 2016

MN100: GPLink

(Image: GPLink)

GPLink is the most capable remote diagnostic tool available for high horsepower systems. Globally, GPLink helps vessel owners and fleet managers by remotely plotting asset locations while also monitoring engines & critical systems. GPLink remotely monitors fuel consumption, idle time, engine hours, speed, engine load and more. Comprehensive reporting allows vessel managers to identify abnormal or wasteful behavior patterns. The firm has 15 employees. Using dual band technology with both GSM and Iridium satellite networks…

25 Aug 2016

NOAA Engineers a Better Current Sensor for Mariners

Max Ivanov and Scott Mowery with NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services install an improved current sensor system on a navigation buoy in Chesapeake Bay. The system transmits real-time current speed and direction observations via satellite to help mariners more safely navigate busy shipping channels. (Photo: NOAA)

Navigating into seaports is now safer and more efficient for mariners thanks to improved NOAA technology that ships rely on to give them information about currents. The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) developed a more reliable, cost-saving version of a current sensor system that can now be placed at more remote locations along navigation channels. The updated Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) system provides real-time current speed and direction observations where many mariners need it most—at U.S.

04 Mar 2016

Drew Marine Acquires NAL Research Corporation

Drew Marine, a provider of technical solutions and services for the maritime, defense and aviation industries, announced its acquisition of NAL Research Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of Iridium tracking and communications equipment. The financial terms of the acquisition were not released. NAL Research will team up with ACR Electronics, Inc., a brand of Drew Marine known as a leader in safety and survival technologies. The acquisition allows Drew Marine to expand its footprint into the Iridium tracking and communication product offering. NAL brings an experienced research and development team that specializes in Iridium satellite modems and tracking terminals from design through integration for the defense, research and commercial sectors.

20 Oct 2015

Iridium, FURUNO Join forces

Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) and maritime navigation and communications equipment leader FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. announced a strategic partnership in which Furuno will be marketing Iridium satellite services and products initially in Japan. As part of this agreement, Furuno will be developing a new part of its portfolio of satellite communications service with Iridium. That may include the Iridium Pilot antennas, powered by the Iridium OpenPort broadband service, providing the industry's only pole-to-pole mobile wireless coverage for ships at sea; Iridium GO!, the world's first truly global online smartphone access device; weather resistant Iridium Extreme handset; and the Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) service.

26 Mar 2015

Affordable SATCOM for Workboat Applications

SATCOM edges closer to providing standardized services to the workboat sector. It’s affordable now and someday soon, you won’t be able to afford to be without it. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based JouBeh Technologies today makes it possible for far flung workboats to transmit critical data back to principals and at the same time, allow regulators and operators alike the possibility of reliable asset tracking on the water. Maybe it’s not YOUR workboat, but someday soon, it could be. As a reseller and integrator for Iridium Communications, JouBeh’s business mix penetrates many sectors. On the water, what they are doing for the federal government of Canada in two different applications has potential for North American commercial inland operators, as well.

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