[Satnews] Subsequent to the successful launch of the VELOX-II satellite on December 16, 2015, which has Addvalue’s space qualified satellite-based data relay terminal integrated within, Addvalue, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore’s Mainboard-listed company, Addvalue Technologies Ltd., announces that the initial in-orbit testing of its in-house developed Inter-Satellite Data Relay System (“IDRS”) terminal—carried out by the company's engineers over past weeks—have had yielded extremely encouraging positive results, very much in line with expectations.
Addvalue’s IDRS is an innovative new service that addresses a long standing constraint confronting the operation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Currently, communication with LEO satellites is only available when the satellite is within sight of an Earth station. Further, this limited connectivity is available only on a rigid time schedule based on the particular LEO satellite orbit and the geographic placement of the earth stations. Thus, LEO satellite operators must contend with communication links that are not available on a 24/7 basis.
With the successful launch of its IDRS terminal aboard the VELOX-II satellite and the ensuing positive data testing results gathered, Addvalue is poised to demonstrate the technical feasibility of IDRS to provide high capacity on-demand 24/7 two-way IP-based data services for LEO satellite missions.
Mr. Tan Khai Pang, Chief Operating and Technology Officer of Addvalue, said, “The tests conducted up to now have shown that our proprietary satellite data relay terminal has survived the launch stage and is now able to make real time bi-directional internet contact directly with the ground control station through the IDRS. This, in itself, is extremely significant as it shows the promising future of our cost effective design to resolve one of the most restrictive problems confounding all LEO satellite operators today. We will continue with more extensive testing in the coming months to further validate our design and gain more insight into how to improve and exploit this innovative technology. More importantly we are taking a holistic view in the provisioning of IDRS to address commercial opportunities in the currently burgeoning LEO satellite industry.”
“The success of our IDRS is expected to eliminate the within-sight-of-an-Earth-station limitation confronting LEO satellites today. Our IDRS is expected to not only enhance the efficiency of satellite communications, it will also open up many uncharted market opportunities for LEO satellite operators and the like,” said Dr. Colin Chan Kum Lok, Chairman and CEO of Addvalue.