Australian company deploys space-age comms

According to a statement, the rollout included a two-way radio network provided by Hytera, alongside Kiloview IP video encoders. Key requirements for the overall system included full encryption, blue force GPS and the ability to record onsite conversations.

The company also wanted 4K video streaming transmitted in real time, leveraging drone-mounted cameras across the site in order to capture “the testing and launch of space vehicles in real time, and at super-slow-motion speeds”.

Speaking of the roll-out, Southern Launch mission control manager, Shane Bennett, said: “The ability to communicate clearly across the very rugged terrain – and utilise the GPS tracking capabilities – provides the Southern Launch senior operational team with real-time situational awareness of all staff locations and status.

“This system provides the backbone for our security, range management and mission control, and is a critical enabler for us to undertake safe and secure launch operations.”

Southern Launch’s facilities include the Whalers Way orbital launch complex and the Koonibba suborbital testing facility, both of which are located in South Australia. These are described in the release mentioned above as being situated within “a large, undulating and geographically challenging landscape”.