Supernal and Inmarsat have teamed up to test hardware and network systems to allow electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles to be integrated into air operations.
Supernal, part of Hyundai Motor Group, will connect its eVTOL to Inmarsat’s Velaris Satcom service - powered by the Elera global satellite communications network - to assess capabilities such as aircraft state and telemetry monitoring.
“Supernal is pleased to collaborate with Inmarsat to test the feasibility of integrating space-based and terrestrial data links to serve the advanced air mobility industry,” said Ben Diachun, chief technology officer, Supernal.
The companies say their partnership "signifies the importance of highly reliable and secure satellite communications as part of the design and certification of eVTOL platforms".
Joel Klooster, senior vice president of aircraft operations and safety at Inmarsat Aviation, insists: "We can deliver the safety services required to allow these vehicles to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and continually improve the customer experience.”
