Satellite

NEC XON and Skywire deploy OneWeb satellite solution, enhancing connectivity for rural communities and remote enterprises across South Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

NEC XON, in collaboration with Skywire, has deployed a pioneering OneWeb satellite solution tailored to meet the connectivity challenges faced by rural communities and remote enterprises across South Africa

This partnership has resulted in a high-availability solution supporting both mobile and fixed connectivity in hard-to-reach areas, addressing critical needs in community services, disaster recovery, and diverse business sectors.

Unique application: Voter enrollment in rural areas

One of Skywire’s initial OneWeb applications was a mobile solution designed to support voter enrollment in rural communities. Tasked with tight deadlines, NEC XON and Skywire rapidly coordinated resources, completing deployment within two weeks. This installation, aboard a mobile community service center, included a specially sourced self-levelling bracket to ensure reliable connectivity in remote locations.

An End-to-End connectivity solution for rural applications

NEC XON’s OneWeb solution provides connectivity where terrestrial towers aren’t available, such as the Northern Cape and the Karoo. The LEO satellite offers higher speeds, low latency (~70ms compared to over 600ms with GEO networks), and dependable uptime even in rugged areas. This solution enables Skywire to deliver reliable service where traditional networks cannot reach, with faster installations and reduced operational costs.

Building on a trusted partnership

Skywire’s decision to partner with NEC XON reflects their long-standing relationship. Over the years, NEC XON has supported Skywire’s expansion, including deployments of NEC licensed spectrum microwave equipment. This partnership has been essential in delivering innovative solutions like OneWeb, allowing Skywire to provide unmatched service to customers even in challenging locations.

“NEC XON’s dedication and expertise in delivering a satellite solution with OneWeb that meets Skywire’s high standards of connectivity has been invaluable. The team’s commitment to meeting tight deadlines and supporting our mission is something we greatly value as we continue to grow our service offerings.” – Johan Botha, chief commercial officer, Skywire

Expanding access to new sectors and communities

The success of the OneWeb deployment has drawn interest from various sectors eager to benefit from low-latency, high-availability connectivity. NEC XON and Skywire plan to expand OneWeb services into sectors such as mining, oil & gas, and border security, with additional focus on retail and banking. By delivering powerful connectivity in remote areas, the OneWeb solution is poised to play a transformative role in South Africa’s digital future.

Eutelsat resolves OneWeb LEO outage caused by a software issue, restoring services swiftly with vendor collaboration. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Eutelsat’s OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) service experienced a 48-hour outage beginning December 31, 2024, caused by a software malfunction in its ground segment

This unexpected disruption temporarily impacted connectivity for customers relying on the service.

The issue was quickly identified, and Eutelsat took immediate action to address the problem, working in close collaboration with its vendor to implement a resolution. The company also ensured ongoing communication with affected customers throughout the process, keeping them informed about progress and timelines for restoration.

Despite the temporary setback, Eutelsat demonstrated its commitment to operational excellence by swiftly mobilizing resources and maintaining a customer-focused approach. As a result, the OneWeb constellation has returned to normal functionality and continues to operate nominally.

This incident underscores the importance of robust systems and responsive support teams in delivering reliable satellite communication services, particularly in critical applications across diverse industries.

Deputy minister Gina unveils South Africa's first suborbital rocket launch facility, advancing aerospace innovation, AI, and economic growth in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The deputy minister of science, technology and innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, inaugurated a suborbital sounding rocket launch facility at the Denel Overberg Test Range in the Western Cape on 3 December 2024

This groundbreaking facility, funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and executed by the Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), marks a significant milestone for South Africa in the field of aerospace technology and innovation.

"The space infrastructure program funded by the DSTI and built by the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Aerospace Systems Research Institute is a demonstration of what the combined efforts, resources, and expertise of government, industry, and institutions of knowledge production can achieve, working together for one national goal. This facility here today is a beacon of this partnership," stated Gina.

Designed as a vital resource for next-generation aerospace projects, the facility will support advanced rocket system testing, critical research initiatives, and technological advancements in the aerospace sector.

"This gantry is a national asset that will be used to launch suborbital rockets built by ASRI but can also accommodate much larger solid-propellant vehicles of the type operated by space-faring nations, including other potential international clients on the continent and worldwide," noted Gina.

Unlike orbital launch vehicles, which are self-guided, suborbital rockets require precise aiming from a gantry tailored to specific flight trajectories, mission needs, and safety considerations.

The newly constructed launch gantry incorporates an advanced aiming and control system, allowing the boom to rotate a full 360 degrees horizontally and elevate to a vertical position. This ensures pinpoint accuracy in all directions and quick adjustments for conditions like wind shifts on launch days.

When vertical, the gantry stands as tall as a six-storey building but can be lowered horizontally during rocket loading and the installation of ground support systems for fueling and launching operations.

Mike Brooks, director of ASRI, stated, "The facility is designed to enable suborbital sounding rocket missions into the high atmosphere, and beyond into space. Many countries use sounding rockets to conduct research related to atmospheric physics, radiation, and magnetism in regions that are too high for balloons and too low for orbiting satellites.

"Sounding rockets help advance our understanding of the Earth and its atmosphere, but they are sizeable vehicles and need a purpose-built gantry from which to launch. The new facility makes it possible to launch ASRI's smaller Phoenix hybrid rockets that reach around 18 km and are used for training young engineers, but it can also accommodate much larger commercial sounding rockets that can achieve altitudes above 200 km, which is well into space," he explained.

ASRI envisions the facility as a driving force for South Africa's national priorities, including economic growth, job creation, and skills development. By fostering innovation in aerospace technology, the facility aims to attract investments, boost local industries, and open new markets. It also aims to create highly skilled jobs and offer training opportunities for future engineers and scientists. These initiatives aim to position South Africa as a global leader in space exploration and technological advancement.

"Having a local facility from which to launch such rockets will act as a catalyst to bring rockets to South Africa for scientific missions. Importantly, it will also catalyse the local aerospace industry to develop a South African sounding rocket, as well as the payloads, onboard sensors, and subsystems that go into these advanced machines. These activities will stimulate South Africa's aerospace industry, creating new economic opportunities for the local advanced manufacturing industry," Prof. Brooks remarked.

The facility’s capabilities were showcased with successful launches of the Phoenix-1D on 2 December 2024 and the Phoenix-1E on 4 December 2024.

Cape Verde embraces Starlink's satellite internet, enhancing connectivity in underserved areas and supporting economic growth with improved infrastructure. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Starlink, the satellite internet service from SpaceX, has officially launched in Cape Verde, making it the latest African nation to adopt this low-Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity solution

This expansion brings the total number of countries where Starlink is operational to 117

In October, Cape Verde’s regulatory authority, Agência Reguladora Multissectorial da Economia (ARME), approved Starlink’s operations in the country. The service, represented by Starlink Cape Verde, was granted authorisation to offer nationwide electronic communication services, enhancing access to high-speed satellite internet. This development complements the existing terrestrial networks, particularly benefiting remote and underserved regions with limited connectivity.

ARME noted that this approval is part of its effort to promote competition within the communications sector, ultimately improving service quality for Cape Verde's residents. Additionally, Starlink’s presence is expected to help bridge digital divides and drive economic growth by improving the country's internet infrastructure.