Viasat has proven its precise UK Satellite
Based Augmentation System (UK SBAS) aboard a test flight, as part
of an ongoing trial funded by the Department for Transport
through the European Space Agency.
LONDON, Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat,
Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) has demonstrated a UK satellite-based
augmentation system (UK SBAS) for the first time, showing how
highly accurate GPS data can maximize safety and improve
efficiency.
The test flight, flown from Cranfield Airport using the National
Flying Laboratory Centre's Saab 340B
aircraft, showcased a UK-based SBAS that delivers more precise,
reliable navigation data. The UK is no longer part of the EU's
similar European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS),
following its exit from the European Union. While EGNOS can still
be used for non-safety applications in the UK, the trial aims to
provide a first step toward a complementary UK SBAS which can be
used for critical safety of life navigation services across air,
land, and sea.
UK SBAS works by combining ground monitoring data with satellite
connectivity to provide more reliable navigational data. Across a
range of applications, it can offer positioning down to a few
centimeters of accuracy, rather than the few metres provided by
standard GPS. For aviation, the system gives pilots greater trust
in their onboard instruments, which has major implications when
pilots may not be able to physically see a runway or other
obstacles due to bad weather.
This means improved safety and fewer missed landings because
pilots – especially smaller aircraft flying into regional airports
and general aviation airfields – can get significantly closer to
the ground during an approach before making the decision whether to
land. Viasat's research with one regional flight operator indicated
that close to 40% of flights cancelled due to weather could have
gone ahead had UK SBAS been available for its fleet. Around the UK,
19 airports had EGNOS procedures in place prior to leaving the
European Union. In total, as many as 72 airports no longer have
access.
With the aviation test complete, the trial is aimed to test the
system in other transport applications, for example for rail,
uncrewed aerial vehicles, or autonomous road vehicles.
Technology Minister at the Department for Transport,
Anthony Browne said "This
successful demonstration illustrates the UK's first-class space
sector, and our capabilities in position, navigation and timing
specifically."
"The project, fully funded by Government through the ESA NAVISP
programme, is directly supporting our work on future provision of
high-accuracy, high-integrity positioning services, which could
increase efficiency and enable new innovations across the transport
network."
Todd McDonnell, President,
International Government, Viasat, said "This trial on a
sovereign UK SBAS is all about delivering trust. Trust for pilots
in their tracking systems so they can stay safe in challenging
conditions. Trust for the aviation industry more broadly so it can
rely on data to operate more efficiently. And, in the future, trust
that we can use highly accurate tracking to develop Britain's transport system as new technologies
come into play. We're excited to continue the trial and see how far
we can take it."
Dean Thomas, Position,
Navigation and Timing Lead at the UK Space Agency, said "This
testbed project is vital in helping Government understand the
potential benefits of a UK SBAS. The flight trial both demonstrates
the capability of UK industry in delivering space based PNT
solutions and illustrates the benefits of delivering UK PNT
projects facilitated by ESA, through the highly flexible NAVISP
programme."
About the project
With funding from the Department for
Transport via the European Space Agency's NAVISP programme, the
trial is being completed by a Viasat-led team of companies in the
UK, including Goonhilly Earth Station, CGI UK, GMV, Ordnance
Survey, Cranfield University, the Cranfield National Flying
Laboratory Centre, and Pildo Labs.
UK SBAS generates an overlay test signal to the US Global
Positioning System (GPS), fully compliant with International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, to enable assessment of
more precise, resilient and high-integrity navigation for maritime
and aviation users in UK waters and airspace. The signal is being
broadcast in coordination with the US Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the
European Union Space Programme Agency (EUSPA). Broadcast capability
for UK SBAS is being provided by Viasat's I-3 F5 satellite.
A similar system, known as SouthPAN, is currently being
developed to make resilient positioning, navigation and timing
(PNT) available in Australia and
New Zealand. Signals for the
service would be provided by Viasat through one of its
next-generation I-8 satellites, which are aimed to launch in
2027.
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications
company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be
connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our
mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and
militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is
developing the ultimate global communications network to power
high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to
positively impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground,
in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space.
On May 31, 2023, Viasat completed its
acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and
resources of the two companies to create a new global
communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the
Viasat News Room or follow us on
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Copyright © 2023 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat,
the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered in the U.S and
in other countries to Viasat, Inc. All other product or company
names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may
be trademarks of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of
1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements include, among others, statements that refer to further
funding and applications for UK SBAS and the future reliability of
the I-3 F5 satellite or other Viasat satellites. Readers are
cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those
expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ include: Further funding for the UK
SBAS project, technological limitations on our ability to complete
or prove the UK SBAS system in operation in aviation or other
applications; applications for UK SBAS beyond those mentioned in
the release; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the
I-3 class satellites and any future satellite we may construct or
acquire; unexpected expenses related to our satellite projects; our
ability to successfully implement our business plan for our
broadband services on our anticipated timeline or at all; capacity
constraints in our business in the lead-up to the launch of
services on our ViaSat-3 satellites; risks associated with the
construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the
effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in
satellite performance; our ability to successfully develop,
introduce and sell new technologies, products and services; the
effect of adverse regulatory changes (including changes affecting
spectrum availability or permitted uses) on our ability to sell or
deploy our products and services;; In addition, please refer to the
risk factors contained in our SEC filings available at www.sec.gov,
including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of
the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.
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