DUBAI, NOVEMBER, 13, 2023 – Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, and the UK-based eVTOL startup Bellwether Industries announced the selection of Viasat’s Velaris satellite connectivity for the upcoming aircraft model, Oryx, officially unveiled today at Dubai Airshow 2023.
Partnering closely with Viasat reflects Bellwether’s pledge to keep its development plan in high gear. The two companies are in the midst of a two-phase test as part of Viasat’s Velaris Partner Network, with plans to include a test flight schedule at a commercial aerodrome later in the program. The engagement underscores the steadfast dedication to innovation and excellence that characterizes their partnership.
The Velaris service provides secure satellite communications for commercial Urban Air Mobility vehicles, such as Bellwether’s Oryx, to seamlessly integrate with aircraft in commercial airspace. The 300g (0.6 lbs) multi-link terminal installed on the vehicle simultaneously connects to the Viasat network and LTE, enabling operators to access a wide variety of applications, such as real-time monitoring, to enable safe and secure airspace integration (including air traffic services and air traffic flow management).
Vidyut Jacob, Senior Director of Mobility and Strategy at Bellwether Industries, expressed his excitement regarding this announcement: “We are taking concrete steps towards the impending test phases for our Volar project. We are poised to execute a meticulous two-step process with our invaluable partner Viasat and launch phase 1 in 2024, in collaboration with CATUAV Test Centre (BCN Drone Center) in Spain.”
This collaboration between Viasat and Bellwether Industries signifies a commitment to advancing the boundaries of innovation and development, heralding a new era in aerospace technology. It is a testament to the productive synergy and shared vision of both organizations, poised to lead the way in redefining the future of flight.
“By aligning with partners who are at the forefront of reshaping and advancing the aviation industry, Viasat seeks not only to push the boundaries of technological innovation but also to contribute significantly to the formulation of regulatory norms and connectivity prerequisites that will guide the industry’s trajectory in the foreseeable future,” said Joel Klooster, Senior Vice President, Flight Safety and Uncrewed Aviation, Viasat
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ABOUT BELLWETHER INDUSTRIES
Bellwether Industries is a human-centric UAM company founded in London in 2019. The mission is to provide the most compatible Urban Air Mobility (UAM) solution for intracity travels with a safe, efficient, and comfortable experience.
Starting with the invention of ‘Volar’, Bellwether’s core mission is to bring urban air mobility to people’s daily lives and minimise the influence on the environment including potential physical damage and noise, and to make the most efficient use of space and time. Volar is defined as a new category of private urban aircraft for intra-city travel. It has a hidden propulsion system, environmental friendliness, a compact profile, and the ability to take off and land vertically. The team believes that people commuting in the sky is inevitable within the next 10 years. A volar will be capable to take anyone to fly anytime and anywhere to any point in cities.
The ultimate goal of Bellwether Industries is to build a brand new 3-dimensional lifestyle and to lead the world toward a more comprehensive urban mobility.
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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 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube.
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