Isotropic Systems satellite trial a boost for US military

Published by

Stephen Emerson

An Isotropic Systems terminal

Reading satellite firm Isotropic Systems has successfully completed trials with a US Government supplier.

The company, a specialist in multi-link satellite technology, carried out advanced multi-orbit antenna trials with SES Government Solutions at the U.S. Army proving grounds in Maryland.

The tests successfully demonstrated a range of capabilities that will support military and government missions across the globe by supporting communications which are increasingly reliant on satellite connectivity on the ground, at sea and in the air.

During the multi-orbit trials, separate satellites in different orbits were simultaneously linked with a single Isotropic Systems multi-link antenna, demonstrating the terminal’s capabilities tailored to meet the rigorous conditions and challenging connectivity demands across the battlespace.

John Finney, founder and CEO of Isotropic Systems, said: “Our terminal is the first and only U.S. Army tested antenna capable of multiple simultaneous satellite links, which provides the US military and NATO with the communications capabilities they need for today’s threat environment with disrupted satellites becoming more common.

“We have proven our optical multi-link antenna technology is fully capable of providing mission-critical, resilient space-based connectivity for the military and across a broad range of vertical markets – from government and enterprise to aero and maritime – as we remain on track for our commercial launch in 2022."

The success of the trials mean U.S. and NATO forces will for the first time be able to access every bit of satellite capacity across military and commercial satellites from a single antenna, which offers greatly enhanced defence and security capabilities.

The technology will allow unmanned aircraft to be able to connect to the optimal satellites during surveillance and armed missions, pilots will be able to link to the best available satellites for communications and naval ships will have improved communication with troops on the air and on the ground.

Pete Hoene, President and CEO of SES Government Solutions, said: “These back-to-back breakthrough antenna trials demonstrate how a new generation of terminals, led by Isotropic System’s optical multi-link platform, will unleash the full potential of existing and next-gen satellites for mission-critical government and defence missions anywhere,” said “The timing of the commercial availability of this new antenna is ideal with the recent launch of our SES-17 GEO satellite and the launch of our new O3b mPOWER MEO system in 2022.”

Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset. Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users. He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.