Month: November 2022

What are Autonomous Systems and How Does SATCOM Play a Role?

Autonomous systems help machines perform and communicate predetermined tasks and make decisions without the need for human interaction. These systems can be integrated with satellite communications for drones and IoT devices deployed in fixed locations and as mobile assets on the ground, in the water or in the sky. The integration of autonomous systems with machines and devices has transformed operations across numerous industries enabling an independent ability to accomplish missions–particularly in remote and inhospitable environments. They reduce risks to personnel, expedite data gathering and analyses, and deliver actionable information. Autonomous systems examples include Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USV) gathering data at sea, unattended sensors monitoring environmental changes, driverless cars navigating city streets, and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV) conducting surveillance or delivering packages.

Most autonomous systems are integrated with purpose-built machines designed with the resilience needed for their deployed environment. Despite not requiring real-time human control, the success of any deployed autonomous asset can be contingent on having a reliable and secure communications network. This is necessary for providing new command sets, taking remote control, requesting status and machine health information, and the transmission of gathered mission data. For remotely deployed autonomous assets, weather-resilient satellite communications (SATCOM) is now a necessity. SATCOM networks like Iridium® can serve as a reliable primary communications solution and support off-the-grid operations while also providing a cost-effective backup option for cellular service if networks are compromised or an asset ventures beyond coverage.

Iridium and its partners have developed connectivity solutions for autonomous systems that scale in size, weight, power and bandwidth based on the needs of the assets and their missions. Supported by the Iridium network’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, exclusively providing weather-resilient, truly global connectivity, autonomous systems can remain connected regardless of location or weather conditions. Iridium and Iridium Connected® partner solutions are either integrated directly into the system or as a low-profile add-on, reducing time to deployment.

Examples of these solutions in action today include Swoop Aero UAVs, Saildrone USVs and the McQ OWL® unattended sensor.

Swoop Aero: Unleashing UAV Autonomy

While some UAVs require a remote human pilot, Iridium partner Swoop Aero deploys its integrated drones logistics Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), allowing them to remotely pilot up to five aircraft. Many of their operations take place in challenging environments, making drone delivery a safer, faster and more reliable alternative to ground transportation of goods. In one such case, Swoop Aero has been successfully delivering vaccines to remote villages in Vanuatu, saving days of hiking mountainous islands and racing the clock against their refrigeration systems expiring. Since their first delivery in Vanuatu, Swoop Aero has moved over 1 million items by drone and operates drone logistics networks in 5 countries.

Saildrone: Patrolling the Oceans Intelligently with USVs

Uncrewed Surface Vehicles have quickly followed UAVs in popularity for both their cost-effectiveness and ability to operate autonomously for months or longer. Saildrone, and its fleet of Iridium Connected USVs captured global attention with dramatic video footage from inside a hurricane. Along with that footage, the Iridium network transmitted wind speed, direction, temperature and other critical information that will help meteorologists create more predictive models and better understand the impacts of climate change. Learn more about Saildrone’s mission supporting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

McQ: Keeping a Smart Eye on Things with Unattended Sensors

Unattended sensors serve as the unsung heroes of the autonomous world. Small, discreetly positioned and often overlooked by the average person, these sensors provide invaluable, real-time safety-of-life information. Tsunami warning buoys, wildfire detection stations and theft alerting devices are a few examples of how these sensors affect daily life. Iridium partner McQ’s OWL Intelligent Camera is a fully autonomous remote video surveillance sensor that uses advanced radar algorithms to determine the importance of people, animals, vehicles or objects detected in its field of view. Based on this information, the sensor decides whether to take an action – photos, video and/or audio recording – and communicate that information back to the appropriate organization. Learn more about the McQ OWL® and how it helps keep a smart eye on remote areas.

Being able to provide truly global connectivity to autonomous systems is changing the way organizations get things done. We encourage you to stay posted to Iridium360 for future looks at the various use cases for Iridium Connected autonomous systems.

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From Military To Iridium: Veterans Share Insights

Iridium® is proud to keep service members connected everywhere in the world, and we’re especially proud to have Veterans from all walks of life join the company after serving. Veterans at Iridium bring unique perspectives and play a critical role in supporting the world’s only truly global satellite network. This Veterans Day, a few employees share how their military experiences shaped them and set them up for success at Iridium.

Thank you to our Veterans at Iridium and all Veterans for your service! To learn more about pursuing a career at Iridium after service, visit our Careers page.

Ryan Meyer, Senior Engineer/Backup Mission Director

“Many times in my military and civilian careers I have been in austere and remote locations where the only immediate connection to the rest of the world was via an Iridium satellite phone. Having that medium available to me in those times gave a level of peace and security that one can’t fully appreciate until they’ve experienced it. That knowledge makes me appreciate what I do here – knowing that my contributions help to provide people who are in the boots I once wore that same level of peace.”

David Slade, Director of Space Vehicle Software

“I learned many of my leadership skills from serving as a noncommissioned officer in the military. At Iridium, I get that same opportunity to serve others by providing communication services to the military and people and communities in need.”

Jay Chapman, Government Solutions Director

“The Army instills teamwork, camaraderie, and mission accomplishment, which are equally important in the private sector. Working on Iridium’s U.S. government team allows me to continue to serve and support our nation. And finding Iridium and Iridium Connected® solutions to DoD/Government requirements provides a similar sense of pride and accomplishment.”

Tom Lopez, Call Intercept Officer/Fraud & Security Manager

“I credit my military training – formal and informal, technical and personal – with the degree of success I have enjoyed at Iridium. I have also taken advantage of the myriad scenarios and personnel differences that have come to serve me well in the diverse and changing environment at Iridium.”

Ken Hughes, Senior Manager, Engineering

“Being in the military gave me a firm foundation on both terrestrial and satellite communications networks, which I continue to use daily. In addition, it taught me how to handle stressful and ambiguous situations, rapidly learn new skills and technologies, and how to interact with senior executives.”

Chris Miserendino, Government Programs Director

“The USAF taught me how to manage multiple programs under high-stress conditions with little oversight. This, combined with the technical skills learned under Space Command and my continuing education through graduate level, created a strong foundation for becoming an engineer, technical lead, project manager, and now a business lead for the government team. My dedication to the warfighter, technology, and country were instilled at an early age. Decades later, it is still my passion and makes me proud of what we do at Iridium.”

Rose Crandall, IT Services Specialist

“During my military career, I worked in similar positions where I supported high-level officials, which has made it easy for me to provide support under pressure and take control of any situation calmly and without hesitation.”

Kirby Watson, Director, Government Solutions

“The Army is a people organization. I learned early on that an organization’s most valuable asset is its people. With good people and cohesive teams, you can accomplish anything.”