May 16, 2016
The operator transmitted images taken by a drone flying from the beach at Catoira (Pontevedra) to the airfield in Rozas (Lugo) in real time.
The goal of the demonstration was a presentation of the HISPASAT ONTIME range of products, which enable satellite communication solutions to be deployed in emergency scenarios such as forest fires and coastal surveillance.
Spanish satellite telecommunications operator HISPASAT, together with Spanish aerospace company INAER, carried out a demonstration of their new connectivity solution for emergency and security services with unmanned aircraft or drones. The demonstration took place on 13 May at the Rozas airfield in Lugo, in a ceremony attended by the president of the Xunta de Galicia, Alberto Núñez-Feijóo.
The demonstration showcased real-time video streaming from a drone flying over Catoira beach in Pontevedra up to the Rozas airfield. The drone transmitted real-time video images via Wi-Fi to a forward command post located on the beach itself, which in turn were sent to the airfield by means of a satellite link. To achieve this, the forward command post relied on a quick-deploy satellite terminal to transmit the images to the satellite, which then forwarded them to the receiving point anywhere in its scope of coverage. In this case, the signal was received at the airfield by a receiving antenna.
This exhibition falls within one of the main lines of innovation that HISPASAT is developing. It is evidence of the high level that satellite technologies have reached, and opens the door to more ambitious applications that, for example, would enable the drone to communicate directly with the satellite.
HISPASAT has been working in recent years on advancing this type of solutions with drones together with other companies like INAER and Indra, selected by the Xunta de Galicia to manage the landmark centre at the Rozas airfield created to develop and build drones for civilian use. This is a state-of-the-art project on the national technological landscape, destined to become a leader in the sector.
HISPASAT, INAER Helicopters, Cartogalicia and MOME have all worked together to make this demonstration possible.
Ideal solution for emergency scenarios
The solution demonstrated is part of the HISPASAT ONTIME range of products, which enable satellite communications services to be deployed in emergency scenarios such as fire fighting, coastal surveillance, restoration of communications in catastrophes, as well as civil security and emergency health services. By means of this satellite solution, HISPASAT provides the most advanced real-time voice, data and video services, ensuring the high availability requirements, safety and reliability that these scenarios require. HISPASAT's solution combines the excellent performance of its satellites with the advanced broadband platforms and user terminals best suited for each application.
About HISPASAT Group
HISPASAT Group is comprised of companies that have a presence in Spain as well as in Latin America, where its Brazilian affiliate HISPAMAR is based. The Group is a world leader in the distribution and broadcasting of Spanish and Portuguese content, and its satellite fleet is used by important direct-to-home television (DTH) and high-definition television (HDTV) digital platforms. HISPASAT also provides satellite broadband services and other added value solutions to governments, corporations and telecommunication operators in America, Europe and North Africa. HISPASAT is one of the world's largest companies in its sector in terms of revenue, and the main communications bridge between Europe and the Americas.
