Page 84 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2023

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Inmarsat Launches I-6 F2 Satellite

Inmarsat has announced the successful the Equator, using its onboard electric to connect its first customers later this
launch of its latest I-6 F2 spacecraft from propulsion system. It will connect its first year. The new I-6 satellites add further
the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station customers in 2024, following rigorous capabilities to Inmarsat’s ORCHESTRA
aboard a flight-proven SpaceX Falcon 9 in-orbit technical testing. I-6 F2 follows communications network; a global multi-
rocket. The launch saw I-6 F2 lift off from its ‘twin’, I-6 F1, which launched from dimensional, dynamic mesh network that
Cape Canaveral, Florida, reaching a top Japan in late 2021. These commercial will redefine connectivity at scale with the
speed of almost 40,000km/h as it left communications satellites will provide highest capacity for mobility worldwide.
Earth above central Africa. The satellite a revolutionary upgrade in Inmarsat’s ORCHESTRA enables Inmarsat’s partners
will now spend several months travelling global coverage services for at least and customers to keep pace with their
to its geostationary orbit, 36,000km above the next 15 years. I-6 F1 is scheduled growing data demands and enables them
to empower emerging technologies in the
future, like autonomous vehicles or flying
taxis. Rajeev Suri, CEO of Inmarsat, said:
“I want to extend my profound thanks and
appreciation to our dedicated employees
and partners who have made this launch a
reality. Our I-6 program has been six years
in the making. Last night’s launch marked
another milestone as we revolutionize
global communications at scale. “Of course,
this is not the end. Along with the I-6s, we
will add five more advanced spacecraft to
our fleet by 2025 as part of our fully funded
technology roadmap. That will allow us to
continue to meet our customers’ needs into
the 2030s and beyond, while enabling new
technologies for a smarter, more connected
Earth.”

Starlink Deploys Satellite Internet in Rwanda

Rwanda’s ICT Ministry has announced that internet service that uses a network of hard to connect to the internet, it would be
a satellite service provided by SpaceX will low Earth orbit satellites to provide high- good to come to school and have access
be piloted in 500 schools in Rwanda after speed internet access to areas with limited to the Internet. That would help me with my
its launch on the 22nd of February. The or no connectivity. The service has the studies. Currently, there are 6,756 schools,
project is part of a larger initiative to provide potential to bring reliable and high-speed consisting of primary, secondary and TVET
high-speed internet access to underserved internet to rural and remote areas, making schools in the country. Of these, about
areas in the country. The satellite-based it a valuable tool for improving education, 3,000 schools. The Rwandan government
internet soon to be provided by billionaire healthcare, and economic opportunities in is hoping to reduce these numbers after the
Elon Musk's high-speed satellite internet underserved communities. Where I live it's launch of the Starlink Internet.
venture is expected to give students and
teachers in Rwanda access to educational
resources and digital tools. The program
is expected to begin this February. This
will play a big role in improving education,
especially for a school like this that is
not connected to reliable internet. One
challenge we are still facing, however,
is the lack of sufficient digital gadgets
for our students, in this school, we have
1405 students, and the gadgets we have
only 136. Isaac Ruganza, head teacher
EP Kimihurura said. Starlink is a satellite

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