BlackSky, Inmarsat and Addvalue drive Earth Observation with IDRS

Inmarsat, a global enabler in global mobile satellite communications and Addvalue, a groundbreaking satellite solution provider and Inmarsat technology partner, have announced that real-time geospatial intelligence company BlackSky will include IDRS™ in its next-generation satellite design.

2022 saw significant global growth in Earth Observation (EO) activities, with many satellite operators growing their businesses' role from data collection to actionable intelligence capable of delivering true competitive advantage. And it's a trend projected to continue.

To ensure autonomous on-board mission support, Addvalue has designed a new, high-performance LEO satellite antenna system that allows full IDRS™ communications coverage, with no interruption to the satellites' ongoing EO operations.

“Reliable, high-fidelity IDRS™ communications links ensure that our customers can focus on their mission,” said Addvalue CEO, Mr. Tan Khai Pang. “With IDRS™ on board, BlackSky will have access to on-demand, near real-time, two-way IP-based links to all its in-space assets 24/7. This means more efficient and timely responses to customer requirements and any operational needs in its fleet.”

Accessing Inmarsat’s unequalled ELERA global communications network, Addvalue’s IDRS™ terminal is unique in enabling LEO satellites with always on, real-time, on-demand in-orbit communications for mission tasking and data monitoring. The terminal also supports telemetry and command communications, troubleshooting and restoring operations.

“Inmarsat will continue to push the envelope and ensure we provide seamless ‘always on, always available’ global critical communication services to the smallsat community,” said Todd McDonell, President at Inmarsat Global Government. “We are thrilled to be partnering with BlackSky and Addvalue by providing the rapid tasking connectivity network that will drastically reduce the time customers wait to receive critical EO data.”

Until the development of the Addvalue IDRS™ service, commercial EO satellite connectivity was limited to when the satellite was within line of sight of an earth station. This inconsistent contact resulted in delays in mission control, constellation-wide tasking, and orbit testing and fault-finding efforts.