The key to unlocking the benefits of drones starts with robust satellite connectivity

4-minute read

Summary

From infrastructure and transportation to emergency response and agriculture, drones are becoming essential tools for enhancing safety, efficiency, and visibility across society.
Use cases of their capabilities may include supporting inspections of power lines, monitoring oil pipelines, and assessing infrastructure while reducing risk and operational costs. They can also survey offshore platforms, detect gas leaks, and monitor environmental compliance.
Autonomous cargo delivery and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology are making urban air mobility more streamlined and eco-friendly.
Viasat’s Velaris enables beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) connectivity crucial for safe and efficient drone operations.

Learn how drones transform the way we live and work

Civilian drones are no longer just a novelty or a hobbyist's toy. They are revolutionizing the way we live and work, offering a multitude of benefits for society. With reliable connectivity, the advantages of drones are extensive.

Ways drones can be used for good

Assessing oil rigs and pipelines

Oil rigs and pipelines are often located in remote areas, making maintenance a challenging and expensive task. Drones can identify potential issues before they become critical, reducing downtime and maintenance costs, as well as prevent potential environmental disasters.

aerial view of powerlines over mountains

Inspecting power lines

Drones are increasingly used to inspect power lines in difficult-to-access areas. This reduces the need for electricians to enter potentially dangerous terrain and minimizes the risk of accidents. Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras can provide detailed images, allowing for thorough inspections to ensure the reliability of the power grid.

Implementing autonomous cargo delivery

Autonomous cargo delivery systems are another area where drones are making a significant impact. These systems could provide a more cost-effective solution for last-mile delivery.

Accelerating advanced air mobility industry

eVTOLs vehicles are environmentally friendly and operate quietly, making them suitable for urban and suburban areas. They offer an optimized solution for various transportation needs, from passenger travel to cargo delivery.

firefighters using a drone to survey a wildfire

Conducting search and rescue operations

Drones are invaluable in search and rescue operations, especially in difficult terrains. They can provide rapid and accurate location data, enhancing the effectiveness of rescue missions by quickly locating individuals in need of assistance.

image of a drone carrying medical supplies

Delivering medical supplies and humanitarian aid

After a disaster, timely delivery of medical supplies can be a matter of life and death. Drones are being used to deliver these critical supplies as well as humanitarian aid, ensuring that they reach those in need quickly.

aerial view of a tractor harvesting crops

Monitoring crops and land use

Drones can monitor land and water usage to better optimize resource allocation for planting, fertilizing, and harvesting, thereby reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

aerial image of horses running across pasture

Tracking livestock

Drones can track animal behavior and health, helping in disease prevention and management. This technology ensures that livestock are easier to care for and reduces the risk of disease outbreaks.

Supporting conservation

Drones can track animal populations, including their behavior and migration patterns. This information is crucial for effective conservation strategies and prevents conservationists from disturbing natural habitats.

Velaris: The critical link from space to sky

At the heart of these advancements is satellite connectivity. Viasat’s Velaris solution is a dedicated satellite communications service for drones, including uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other AAM aircraft. Velaris provides safe and seamless beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, allowing drones to safely share the skies with crewed aviation.

Velaris offers a robust, secure, and reliable connection through our global L-band network. This network, trusted by global aviation regulators, ensures mission-critical communication, navigation, and surveillance services. With Velaris, one controller can manage multiple aircraft from a central location, enhancing operational efficiency and scalability.

These services are flexible and can be scaled up or down as needed, making it easier for businesses to harness the commercial opportunities in uncrewed aviation.

As the AAM industry continues to evolve, satellite connectivity will play a crucial role in unlocking the full potential of drones, making them a powerful tool for positive change.

Partner spotlights

Viasat is working with industry trailblazers who are tapping our Velaris solution to amplify their business.

Barcelona Drone Center (BCN)

Barcelona Drone Center (BCN) is an R+D and engineering services SME specialized on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones.

With over two decades of hands-on experience, they have played diverse roles in the sector. In their early days, the company primarily focused on manufacturing fixed-wing UAS. Over time, they have expanded their services to offer Aerial Services with their proprietary UAS technology. This evolution gave them the required expertise to establish BCN Drone Center, one of the world’s pioneering test sites exclusively dedicated to UAS testing and certification.

ARA Robotics

Ara Robotics are a manufacturer of automated RPAS, that offer turnkey aerial robotics solutions that enable their clients to automate and optimize daily operations. Entirely designed and assembled in Canada, their drones adhere to the highest standards in quality, safety, and data confidentiality.

Videosoft Global

Videosoft Global is working with Viasat to enable enhanced real-time video streaming capabilities over our communication network, providing peace of mind to ground crews even in areas of poor terrestrial coverage— The solution intelligently compresses, encodes, and transmits video in real time over bandwidth-restricted and variable networks, providing reliable, actionable footage for remote inspection, surveillance, and mission-critical operations in the harshest conditions.