Skyrora, Viasat and CGI achieve UK first with test of InRange
Above: Testing at Skyrora.
Courtesy Skyrora
This InRange telemetry relay test is a first for the UK commercial space industry. Viasat’s InRange is designed to provide continuous transmission of telemetry data during flight, from launch to payload deployment, reducing reliance on ground station communications and offering added flexibility on launch location.
The static ground test produced usable telemetry data and successfully exhibited InRange’s connectivity over Viasat’s global L-band satellite communication network with Skyrora’s launch vehicle system. Testing latency, interference and other key criteria, the CCN1 test fulfils the initial stage of a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) through the Boost! Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support Programme.
Skyrora is now cleared to carry out CCN2, the second stage of the contract, repeating the static test integrating InRange with Skylark L, its 11.6m suborbital vehicle.
Going beyond the utilisation of traditional ground stations, which are limited to connecting with a launch vehicle beyond the horizon line, InRange uses geostationary satellites to enable continuous data transmission between the launch vehicle and the control centre during flight. As such, this collaboration between Skyrora, Viasat, and CGI addresses a key issue for launch vehicle providers and increases flexibility when it comes to choosing launch sites.
Volodymyr Levykin, CEO and Founder of Skyrora, said: “This successful test is a significant step for the global commercial space industry. The InRange telemetry system reduces the likelihood of challenges around recording and transmitting the readings of launch vehicles. As well as saving launch companies millions of pounds, it will offer them more flexibility in launch location and improve their visibility of telemetry data throughout flight, from launch to payload deployment.”
Gary Lay, Vice President of Viasat’s Strategic Programmes, said: “We’re excited to share this successful test as another step towards bringing Viasat’s InRange capability to a growing launch industry. Accurate vehicle telemetry is a critical part of any launch and InRange is built to provide this valuable data in real time and with greater flexibility and reliability than before. We’re proud to be working with great partners to support the UK with its evolving launch capabilities and are looking forward to moving ahead to the next phase of the programme.”
CGI undertook a market study and analysis of ground stations to determine the commercial potential of the solution within the wider launch service provider market.
Sophie Pittner, Vice President of Aerospace & Assured Space Systems at CGI in the UK and Australia, said:“ Through the first phase CGI successfully completed our safety and cyber analysis of the InRange solution alongside a global market assessment for InRange. The research showed a clear need for the solution from those interviewed, with ground segment simplification, cost reduction and service resilience as key market drivers. Having access to safe, cyber resilient and uninterrupted launch vehicle data was shown to be a clear requirement of launch stakeholders to complete both live and retrospective launch activities and investigations, which is enabled by InRange.”
Above: Volodymyr Levykin, CEO and Founder of Skyrora.
Courtesy Skyrora
The Budget
In response to UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget, Volodymyr Levykin said: “Greater investment into the UK space sector is a surefire way to boost both economic growth and the nation’s defence capabilities. The UK has everything it needs to control its own destiny when it comes to space but the Government must ignite the sector’s growth with action.
"While grants are helpful at the early stage, we need clearer strategies around longer-term financial support, in the form of patient capital and commercial contracts, to realise launch from our own shores.
“There could not be a more vital moment to prioritise support for the UK space sector. Sovereign access to space will bolster our national security and better safeguard the nation, which will be aided by the commitment to increased defence spend. Beyond this, the sector is a great enabler of technology innovation and growth within other industries.
"Incentivising businesses along the value chain will enable us to see the development of the right commercial environment for space, which will foster job creation across the UK.
