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Iridium Communications

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Maritime Satellite Communications & Connectivity - SATCOM Terminals and Antennas United States of America

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Iridium is a leading provider of high-reliability satellite communication services, powered by a truly global satellite network. The Iridium Certus® multi-service platform provides reliable connections and critical communications for a range of maritime applications.

Iridium Connected® products enhance connectivity and enable increased safety for USVs (unmanned surface vessels), ASVs (autonomous surface vessels) and MASS (maritime autonomous surface ships) operating in challenging and unpredictable waters.

Learn more about our solutions for maritime applications >

Maritime Satellite Communication Services

Connectivity for autonomous vessels – ASV & USV

Iridium® is the world’s only truly global satellite network, and provides trusted connectivity for unmanned and autonomous vessels operating anywhere on the planet. Our network and SATCOM solutions allow users to receive real-time data and up-to-date metrics, ensuring safe operation and optimizing vessel performance.

Reliable Coverage and Connectivity

The Iridium network of 66 crosslinked Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites enables rapid connection for autonomous vessels, creating shorter data transmission paths for real-time data collection and remote management.

USVs can maintain visibility even when presented with obstructions at sea, ensuring persistent operation.

Low-SWaP SATCOM Technology

Select Iridium Certus® value-added manufacturers use our core technology to develop innovative Iridium Connected® SATCOM solutions that can be easily integrated into a variety of marine platforms.

A range of compact, lightweight, and low-power SATCOM terminals powered by Iridium Certus® are available for vessels of all sizes, from small unmanned scientific research vessels to large fully autonomous cargo ships.

The terminals are highly resistant to weather and harsh operating conditions, and utilize low-profile, solid-state SATCOM antennas to provide the fastest L-band speeds available with global connectivity.

Iridium Certus Products

Thales
VesseLINK^TM 700

Cobham
SAILOR 4300

Intellian
C700

Thales
VesseLINK 200

Blue Sky Network
SkyLink 6100

Cost-Effective, Critical Reliability

Iridium satellite connectivity data services deliver leading performance with a low capital investment, with flexible service plans that allow users to scale according to their specific needs. With an automatic failsafe capability for critical data, users can maintain a link with their vessels and maintain operational efficiencies even when cellular networks fail.

“Iridium Certus has been a pivotal part of the capability that we have been delivering”

Peter Wlodarczyk – Lead Engineer at OciusTechnology

Learn more about Iridium Connected® SATCOM solutions >

Versatile SATCOM technology for multi-mission performance

Critical vessel safety functions enabled by Iridium’s maritime SATCOM solutions include:

Maritime domain awareness and collision detection
Wave, weather and environmental monitoring
Propulsion systems monitoring
Vessel Performance Optimization
Ship-to-shore data transfer and telematics such as battery and equipment monitoring

Our maritime satellite communication solutions empower unmanned and autonomous vessels to undertake a wide variety of complex missions, such as:

Ocean profiling and climate monitoring
Scientific research
Autonomous and semi-autonomous cargo shipping
Wind and weather observation
Bathymetric and biomass mapping

“Our vision is to transform ocean data collection, supporting the sustainable and economic growth of our most precious resource — our oceans. We perform this data collection with our unique and flexible USV platform, and we rely upon Iridium Certus to provide OTH communications for our USV deployments. As a result, this allows us to operate continuously and more efficiently for long periods”

Ruairi Daly – Lead Controls & Automation Engineer, XOCEAN

More information: Iridium Solutions for Autonomous Vessels

Supporting the Mayflower Autonomous Ship

Iridium Certus broadband connectivity is a key component of the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS), a cutting-edge vessel designed to gather environmental data. MAS is controlled by an onboard artificial intelligence system, known as AI Captain and developed by IBM and MarineAI.

maritime satcom use case

The Thales VesseLINK 700 SATCOM terminal, powered by Iridium Certus, ensured real-time 24/7 communications and vessel tracking, transmitting performance feedback, location, and situational awareness to the MAS control center.

“Iridium Certus massively exceeded our expectations. With Iridium Certus we were able to live stream video, remote into the vessel and complete mission critical software updates. Iridium Certus will be a key component of our future USV’s”

Matthew Ratsey – CEO, MarineAI

Products

Thales VesseLINK 700

Maritime SATCOM solution with global coverage

Cobham SAILOR 4300

Maritime SATCOM terminal for internet and Connected Ship applications

Intellian C700

Broadband SATCOM terminal for maritime IoT

Thales VesseLINK 200

Maritime SATCOM for USVs with Iridium Certus 200 connectivity

Blue Sky Network Skylink 6100

Midband SATCOM terminal for maritime data, telemetry, and monitoring

Documents

Thales VesseLINK 700 Datasheet

Iridium Certus® 700 Fact Sheet

Iridium Certus® Maritime Fact Sheet

Articles

Latest

Iridium Launches Miniature PNT ASIC for Resilient Timing and Navigation

Iridium’s new miniature PNT ASIC provides cryptographically secure, pole-to-pole timing and location data, offering GNSS-dependent devices protection against spoofing and jamming in diverse applications

Nov 12, 2025

How Iridium Supports Reliable SATCOM Solutions for Maritime Operations

Choosing the right maritime SATCOM system is crucial for ensuring safety, efficiency, and connectivity at sea, Iridium examines key options and considerations

May 29, 2025

Iridium Introduces 9603 ESBD Module for Secure Government Messaging

Iridium Communications Inc. is launching a U.S. government-specific version of its 9603 module, featuring Enhanced Short Burst Data (ESBD) for secure, low-latency mobile messaging across global defense networks

May 20, 2025

Iridium Acquires Leading Assured PNT Services Provider

Satelles' Satellite Time and Location service is an easy-to-adopt, highly secure solution that increases the efficiency and reliability of timing systems for digital infrastructure

Mar 07, 2024

Iridium Launches Academy for GMDSS Safety Instruction

Iridium’s Academy aims to provide curricula specific to GMDSS and related safety services, ensuring maritime students can work aboard SOLAS class vessels

Jan 08, 2024

Iridium Awarded DISA and U.S. Space Force Contract

The Iridium® network provides satellite communications that aim to keep users connected even in high-risk combat zones or during inclement weather events

Sep 18, 2023

Iridium Proposes New Model for Monitored BVLOS UAS Integration in the NAS

Iridium Communications Inc. has announced the results of a UAS flight trial highlighting Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities...

Jun 26, 2023

The Optimal Communications Strategy for Uncrewed & Autonomous Maritime Systems

Wouter Deknopper, Vice President and Managing Director, Maritime at Iridium Communications, explains how the Iridium Certus multi-service platform can provide reliable connections and critical BVLOS communications for uncrewed and autonomous maritime applications.

Apr 17, 2023

Iridium’s Global Satellite Network Supports Autonomous Systems Operations

In this article, Iridium explains how its satellite network can serve as a reliable primary communications solution and support off-the-grid...

Dec 07, 2022

Additional Iridium Certus Service Providers for U.S. Government Customers

The partners will provide Iridium's secure global satellite broadband and midband connectivity to the U.S. government through a dedicated gateway

Oct 16, 2022

Iridium Certus Enables Remote Monitoring Of Sub-Sea Systems

In this case study, Iridium details how its Iridium Certus solution enabled remote monitoring and control of subsea systems aboard...

Jul 01, 2022

Global Satellite Communications & Connectivity for USVs & ASVs

Iridium's SATCOM solutions provide trusted connectivity for unmanned and autonomous vessels operating anywhere on the planet

May 03, 2022

Iridium Equips USVs for Over-The-Horizon Communications

Apr 05, 2022

Iridium Launches Midband Satellite Service for Land, Sea, Air & Industrial IoT

Iridium Communications’ unique crosslinked L-band satellite network will enable over a dozen new Iridium Connected midband products in the coming months

Nov 10, 2021

Iridium Certus 200 Offers Unmatched Performance-to-Value for Satellite Broadband Services

Iridium Certus 200 is a new L-band broadband service class offering proven reliability and global coverage through smaller, lighter and more cost-effective user equipment

Jun 22, 2021

Iridium Chosen as Communications Partner for Mayflower Autonomous Ship

Iridium is providing its Iridium Certus weather-resilient broadband connectivity which can help remotely manage vessel operations aboard the Mayflower Autonomous Ship on its transatlantic crossing

May 27, 2021

New Small Form Factor SATCOM Transceiver Launched

Iridium Communications has announced the launch of its new Iridium Certus 9770 transceiver, which transfers IP data over 35 times...

Aug 29, 2019

Global Satellite Broadband Service Launched for Unmanned Applications

Iridium Communications has announced the commercial launch of its Iridium Certus broadband service, the first new capability activated from the...

Jan 22, 2019

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How Iridium is Helping to Protect The Natural World

Iridium is a leading provider of high-reliability satellite communication services, powered by a truly global satellite network. The Iridium Certus® multi-service platform provides reliable connections and critical communications for a range of maritime applications. Iridium Connected® products enhance connectivity and enable increased safety for USVs (unmanned surface vessels), ASVs (autonomous surface vessels) and MASS (maritime autonomous surface ships) operating in challenging and unpredictable waters. Learn more about our solutions for maritime

Regional Offices & Locations

Corporate Headquarters United States of America 1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1400, McLean, VA 22102 USA +1 703 287 7400 Contact Website

Business Operations United States of America 8440 South River Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85284 USA +1 480 752 1100 Website

Iridium Satellite UK Limited United Kingdom The Calf Pens, Hatfield Park Farm, Bush End, Essex CM23 6NG. UK Contact Website

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