Satellite Connectivity for Advanced Air Mobility Vehicle Partnership Announced
Supernal and Inmarsat have announced a partnership to define the application of satellite connectivity in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Together, the companies will conduct testing and data sharing to optimize hardware and network systems, which will lead to the safe and efficient integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles into the airspace.
"Supernal is pleased to collaborate with Inmarsat to test the feasibility of integrating space-based and terrestrial data links to serve the Advanced Air Mobility industry."
Ben Diachun, Chief Technology Officer, Supernal.
During vehicle testing, Supernal will connect its eVTOL to Inmarsat's Velaris SATCOM service to assess capabilities such as aircraft state and telemetry monitoring. Velaris builds on Inmarsat's vast three-decade experience in air traffic management communications and is powered by its high resilience ELERA global satellite communications network.
"Supernal is pleased to collaborate with Inmarsat to test the feasibility of integrating space-based and terrestrial data links to serve the Advanced Air Mobility industry," said Ben Diachun, Chief Technology Officer, Supernal.
Satellite Connectivity Important for AAM Safety
The partnership signifies the importance of highly reliable and secure satellite connectivity as part of the design and certification of eVTOL platforms.
"Inmarsat is excited to be working with Supernal to lead the conversation around connectivity and communications for UAV, eVTOL and UAM vehicles," said Joel Klooster, Senior Vice President of Aircraft Operations and Safety, Inmarsat Aviation. "We can deliver the safety services required to allow these vehicles to fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and continually improve the customer experience."
Supernal, which is part of Hyundai Motor Group, will work with Inmarsat as part of its "open ecosystem" approach to addressing emerging technology needs of AAM. The company says it is on a mission to redefine how people move, connect, and live. It is developing an Advanced Air Mobility eVTOL vehicle and working to responsibly co-create the supporting ecosystem and integrate it into existing transit options. As part of Hyundai Motor Group, it is both a new business and an established company, with plans to harness our automotive manufacturing heritage to make Advanced Air Mobility accessible to the masses.
(Source: Supernal news release. Courtesy images)