Iridium is a leading provider of high-reliability satellite communication services, powered by a truly global satellite network. The Iridium Certus® multi-service platform provides reliable connections and critical communications for a range of maritime applications.
Iridium Connected® products enhance connectivity and enable increased safety for USVs (unmanned surface vessels), ASVs (autonomous surface vessels) and MASS (maritime autonomous surface ships) operating in challenging and unpredictable waters.
Maritime Satellite Communication Services
Connectivity for autonomous vessels – ASV & USV
Iridium® is the world’s only truly global satellite network, and provides trusted connectivity for unmanned and autonomous vessels operating anywhere on the planet. Our network and SATCOM solutions allow users to receive real-time data and up-to-date metrics, ensuring safe operation and optimizing vessel performance.
Reliable Coverage and Connectivity
The Iridium network of 66 crosslinked Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites enables rapid connection for autonomous vessels, creating shorter data transmission paths for real-time data collection and remote management.
USVs can maintain visibility even when presented with obstructions at sea, ensuring persistent operation.
Low-SWaP SATCOM Technology
Select Iridium Certus® value-added manufacturers use our core technology to develop innovative Iridium Connected® SATCOM solutions that can be easily integrated into a variety of marine platforms.
A range of compact, lightweight, and low-power SATCOM terminals powered by Iridium Certus® are available for vessels of all sizes, from small unmanned scientific research vessels to large fully autonomous cargo ships.
The terminals are highly resistant to weather and harsh operating conditions, and utilize low-profile, solid-state SATCOM antennas to provide the fastest L-band speeds available with global connectivity.
Iridium Certus Products
Cost-Effective, Critical Reliability
Iridium satellite connectivity data services deliver leading performance with a low capital investment, with flexible service plans that allow users to scale according to their specific needs. With an automatic failsafe capability for critical data, users can maintain a link with their vessels and maintain operational efficiencies even when cellular networks fail.
“Iridium Certus has been a pivotal part of the capability that we have been delivering”
Peter Wlodarczyk – Lead Engineer at OciusTechnology
Versatile SATCOM technology for multi-mission performance
Critical vessel safety functions enabled by Iridium’s maritime SATCOM solutions include:
- Maritime domain awareness and collision detection
- Wave, weather and environmental monitoring
- Propulsion systems monitoring
- Vessel Performance Optimization
- Ship-to-shore data transfer and telematics such as battery and equipment monitoring
Our maritime satellite communication solutions empower unmanned and autonomous vessels to undertake a wide variety of complex missions, such as:
- Ocean profiling and climate monitoring
- Scientific research
- Autonomous and semi-autonomous cargo shipping
- Wind and weather observation
- Bathymetric and biomass mapping
“Our vision is to transform ocean data collection, supporting the sustainable and economic growth of our most precious resource — our oceans. We perform this data collection with our unique and flexible USV platform, and we rely upon Iridium Certus to provide OTH communications for our USV deployments. As a result, this allows us to operate continuously and more efficiently for long periods”
Ruairi Daly – Lead Controls & Automation Engineer, XOCEAN
More information: Iridium Solutions for Autonomous Vessels
Supporting the Mayflower Autonomous Ship
Iridium Certus broadband connectivity is a key component of the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS), a cutting-edge vessel designed to gather environmental data. MAS is controlled by an onboard artificial intelligence system, known as AI Captain and developed by IBM and MarineAI.
The Thales VesseLINK 700 SATCOM terminal, powered by Iridium Certus, ensured real-time 24/7 communications and vessel tracking, transmitting performance feedback, location, and situational awareness to the MAS control center.
“Iridium Certus massively exceeded our expectations. With Iridium Certus we were able to live stream video, remote into the vessel and complete mission critical software updates. Iridium Certus will be a key component of our future USV’s”
Matthew Ratsey – CEO, MarineAI