Hispasat tests the possibilities of satellite connectivity with drones

The operator has transmitted in real time video images taken by a drone from Catoira beach (Pontevedra) to the Rozas airfield (Lugo).

The Spanish satellite telecommunications operator, Hispasat, has carried out, with the aeronautical company INAER, a demonstration of its new connectivity solution with unmanned aircraft, or drones, for emergency and security services. This demonstration took place at the Rozas airfield (Lugo), in an event held last Friday that was attended by the president of the Xunta de Galicia, Alberto Núñez-Feijóo.

The demonstration has allowed real-time video transmission from a drone flying over Catoira beach (Pontevedra) to the Rozas airfield. The drone transmitted the video images via Wi-Fi connection to an advanced command post, located on the beach itself, which in turn sent them to the airfield via a satellite link. To do this, the advanced command post had a quick deploy satellite terminal to transmit the images to the satellite, which then sends them to the reception point anywhere within its coverage area; In this case, the signal was received at the aerodrome thanks to a receiving antenna.

The exhibition, which is part of one of the main lines of innovation that Hispasat is developing, is proof of the high level achieved by satellite technologies and opens the door to more ambitious applications that allow, for example, direct communication between the drone and the satellite.

Hispasat has been working in recent years on the advancement of this type of solutions with unmanned aircraft together with companies such as Inaer and Indra, selected by the Xunta de Galicia to manage the reference center at the Rozas aerodrome, created to develop and build unmanned aircraft for civil use, a leading project in the national technological panorama destined to become a benchmark in the sector.

Hispasat, INAER Helicópteros, Cartogalicia and MOME collaborated in the demonstration.