Viasat’s rocket telemetry service selected by INNOSPACE

Above: Viasat will provide its launch telemetry service for South Korean satellite launch service company, INNOSPACE.
Courtesy Viasat

The mission, currently targeted for later this month, will see INNOSPACE’s HANBIT-Nano launch vehicle carry a total of eight registered payloads, including five small satellites and three non-separating experimental devices, along with one symbolic branding model into low Earth orbit (LEO) from Alcântara Launch Centre, State of Maranhão, Northern Brazil. Under Communication Services, Viasat’s InRange, part of the recently introduced HaloNet portfolio of orbital services, is planned to provide crucial launch telemetry data and – in another first for the service – aims to enable compressed video-streaming from the launch vehicle.

The rocket telemetry service is designed to provide a continuous flow of telemetry data during launch – from liftoff to payload deployment. Unlike traditional ground networks that can only connect when a launch vehicle is within sight, InRange uses Viasat’s L-band geostationary satellites which orbit 36,500km above the Earth. This means launch operators like INNOSPACE will have the ability to closely monitor launch missions from launchpad to space, with consistent and reliable connectivity from geostationary satellites.

As demand to launch small satellites into space continues to grow, INNOSPACE uses innovative proprietary technology using 3D-printing and a mix of different fuels – known as a hybrid – to provide small satellite launchers that deliver low-cost, reliable and low-latency access to space. While headquartered in Korea, the company plans to launch from various global space ports, including Brazil, Norway and Australia, to maximise its launch capabilities for customers in the future.

Gary Lay, Vice President, International Government, Viasat, said: “Activity in space is increasing and demand for small satellite launch is rising – all over the world. Companies like INNOSPACE are vital to meet the increasing demand for efficient, reliable launches. We are excited to support INNOSPACE with their maiden launch which will also be the first ever commercial use of InRange. Through our satellite relay network, we can help launch providers receive data throughout the entire launch.

Soojong Kim, Founder and CEO, INNOSPACE, said: “We are proud to collaborate with Viasat for our first commercial launch from Brazil. The integration of InRange into our HANBIT-Nano mission reflects our commitment to enhancing launch reliability and data connectivity through innovative global partnerships.”

The InRange launch telemetry capabilities are part of Viasat’s HaloNet portfolio – a comprehensive group of solutions designed to support space-to-ground near-Earth communications for government and commercial missions. 

Earlier this year, Viasat’s telemetry data relay capabilities were successfully demonstrated onboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, as part of NASA’s Communications Service Project. 

The solution has also been selected by UK-based Skyrora for a future sub-orbital demonstration mission of its Skylark L launch vehicle.