SWISSTO12
Inmarsat, a world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, has announced that SWISSto12, one of Europe’s fastest growing aerospace providers, will develop its new eighth-generation of spacecraft. The three I-8 satellites will provide additional network resilience, securing the future of Inmarsat’s global L-band safety services.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230519005018/en/
An illustration of SWISSto12's HummingSat in geostationary orbit. Image credit: SWISSto12
SWISSto12, headquartered in Switzerland, will use its HummingSat satellite platform - in conjunction with unique 3D-printing technologies and specialised Radio-Frequency (RF) and payload products - to develop and manufacture the geostationary satellites, which will launch by 2026.
Just 1.5 cubic metres in volume, the I-8’s will use SWISSto12’s innovative new class of spacecraft which has a form factor up to five times smaller than conventional geostationary satellites yet can still deliver critical safety services with certainty.
The three l-8 satellites will continue to provide the extra layer of resilience to complement the existing constellation and Inmarsat’s two I-6 generation satellites, which were launched in December 2021 and February 2023. In March 2023, Inmarsat announced the first, I-6 F1, had successfully completed testing with ground stations in Western Australia and has now started to provide Ka-band services for the fast-growing Asia Pacific region. The company will begin introducing its L-band capacity and transitioning services to the new satellite throughout 2023.
The second, I-6 F2, which launched in February 2023, is expected to enter operational service over Europe, Africa, and much of the Americas in early 2024.
Each I-8 will also extend Inmarsat’s history of launching and operating radionavigation transponders for Governments and international space agencies. These transponders can enable Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) services around the world, for example for air traffic controllers or coastguards. SBAS systems uses satellite connectivity, land-based infrastructure, and software to enhance standard GPS/Galileo accuracy of 5 to 10 metres to as little as just 10cm.
Such precise tracking could enable pinpoint safety navigation on aircraft, help emergency services reach vessels in distress more quickly, or allow a raft of industrial innovations, like device tracking in agriculture or advanced, automated transport management systems.
The I-8 satellites will continue to secure Inmarsat’s global safety services into the 2040’s. The company was founded in 1979 under the auspices of the United Nations specifically to provide highly reliable safety communications. Today some 1.6 million seafarers and over 200 airlines rely on Inmarsat’s global L-band network to deliver 99.9% availability every day.
The Inmarsat-8 programme forms part of Inmarsat’s fully-funded technology roadmap, which will include five new satellite payloads added by 2025 to further Inmarsat’s high-speed broadband Global Xpress (GX) network with the launch of the software defined satellites GX 7,8, and 9, aimed for 2025, and the polar coverage satellites GX10a and b, which are aimed for the first half of 2024.
Peter Hadinger, Chief Technology Officer, Inmarsat, said “Every single day people around the world depend on Inmarsat services. Our customers have demanding, and often safety critical, missions that rely on our satellite technology for links that can make the difference. The I-8’s will not only underpin our existing capabilities for the future; but enable ever more advanced safety innovations like SBAS that can ultimately help save more lives. We have chosen SWISSto12 because they have the ground-breaking technology that can make it a reality.”
Emile de Rijk, CEO, SWISSto12, said “We are delighted that Inmarsat has selected SWISSto12 as its partner for its landmark l-8 program. It demonstrates that, with HummingSat, we have created a highly-advanced new class of small geostationary spacecraft that delivers world-leading connectivity capabilities at a fraction of the cost. Our proprietary 3D-printing of Radio Frequency payload technology allows us to push the limits of existing capability and service new and existing business cases for geostationary satellite communications. This is an important step in our journey to better connect and protect every corner of the world.”
ENDS
ABOUT INMARSAT
Inmarsat delivers world leading, innovative, advanced and exceptionally reliable global, mobile communications across the world – in the air, at sea and on land - that are enabling a new generation of commercial, government and mission-critical services. Inmarsat is powering the digitalisation of the maritime industry, making operations more efficient and safer than ever before. It is driving a new era of inflight passenger services for aviation, while ensuring that aircraft can fly with maximum efficiency and safety. Furthermore, Inmarsat is enabling the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and enabling the next wave of world-changing technologies that will underpin the connected society and help build a sustainable future. And now Inmarsat is developing the first-of-its-kind, multi-dimensional communications network of the future, ORCHESTRA.
In November 2021, Inmarsat and Viasat announced the planned combination of the two companies, to create a new leader in global communications.
For further information, follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram.
ABOUT SWISSto12
SWISSto12 is a leading manufacturer of advanced satellite payloads and systems, including the HummingSat: a small yet powerful geostationary telecommunications satellite developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) through its public-private-partnership program. The first commercial customer of HummingSat was announced in November 2022. The company’s satellites and payloads benefit from unique and patented 3D-printing technologies and associated Radio Frequency (RF) product designs that deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF functionality. Besides its space portfolio, the company is also active in telecommunications, surveillance and radar applications for the aeronautic industry. SWISSto12 has developed commercially with success in Europe, the USA and Israel and is amongst the fastest growing aerospace companies in Europe. SWISSto12 spun off in 2011 from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors.
For further information, visit https://swissto12.com
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230519005018/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Volante Technologies Customers Successfully Navigate Critical Regulatory Deadlines for EU SEPA Instant and Global SWIFT Cross-Border Payments16.12.2025 10:00:00 CET | Press release
PaaS leader ensures seamless migrations and uninterrupted payment operations Volante Technologies, the global leader in Payments as a Service (PaaS), today announced it has successfully upgraded its clients to meet the latest SEPA Instant Payments Regulation (IPR) and SWIFT SRG 2025 mandate, which came into effect October 9th and November 22nd, 2025, respectively. This announcement follows the major FedISO upgrade in July, which shifted trillions of dollars in payments to the new ISO 20022 messaging format. SEPA IPR is a significant European milestone, requiring payments to be made within 10 seconds and at any time of day, throughout the year. Adoption was mandatory and Eurozone banks were compelled to meet strict deadlines, with January 9th, 2025 the deadline for receiving incoming instant payments and October 9th the deadline for sending outgoing instant payments. The latest deadline impacted more than 700 banks across Europe, with non-compliance penalties reaching at least 10% of an
TreeFrog Therapeutics Announces Changes to Executive Committee With the Arrival of Mark Rothera as Chief Executive Officer & Board Member to Spearhead Next Phase of Growth16.12.2025 09:05:00 CET | Press release
TreeFrog Therapeutics, a French biotech focused on bringing regenerative medicine to millions through their proprietary cell technology, C-Stem™ is delighted to announce the appointment of skilled biotech leader, Mark Rothera, as Chief Executive Officer and Board member. He succeeds Frédéric Desdouits, who is stepping down after five years in the role. In the new leadership configuration, co-founders Kévin Alessandri and Maxime Feyeux will transition from daily operations to focus on their roles on the Board. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215145193/en/ Mark Rothera, CEO TreeFrog Therapeutics Elsy Boglioli, Chair of the Board of TreeFrog Therapeutics, commented “On behalf of the Board, we are delighted to welcome Mark to TreeFrog. His 30+ years of biopharma leadership, including most recently, three biotech CEO roles in gene therapy and biologics, will be invaluable as we advance our Parkinson’s and liver
RoslinCT and Ayrmid Ltd. Announce Expansion of Strategic Partnership to Manufacture Omisirge® (omidubicel-onlv) for Second FDA-Approved Indication in Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA)16.12.2025 09:00:00 CET | Press release
RoslinCT is performing technology transfer and will support commercial manufacture of Omisirge® for an additional indication following successful clinical trialsOmisirge® now FDA-approved for an expanded patient population in hematologyRoslinCT continues to support and advance multiple cell therapy projects at its Hopkinton, MA facility Ayrmid Ltd., the parent company of Gamida Cell Inc., a pioneering cell therapy company transforming cells into powerful therapeutics, and RoslinCT, a global leader in cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing, today announced the expansion of their strategic partnership to include the execution of a commercial supply agreement to support production of Omisirge® (omidubicel-onlv). Following positive clinical trial results, Omisirge® has received FDA approval for a second indication, broadening its use in the treatment of hematology patients. Under the commercial supply agreement, RoslinCT will complete technology transfer and support c
Echoworx Secures FSQS-Netherlands Certification, Strengthening Trust in Financial Data Protection16.12.2025 07:00:00 CET | Press release
Leading encryption provider deepens commitment to European financial sector with rigorous new supplier qualification, building on existing UK & Ireland certification. Echoworx, a global leader in email and data encryption, proudly announces it has achieved Financial Services Qualification System (FSQS) registered supplier status for the Netherlands. This certification powerfully demonstrates Echoworx’s commitment to the highest standards of security and compliance. This achievement expands on the company’s existing FSQS certification for the UK and Ireland, secured in 2020. By successfully completing the rigorous qualification for the Netherlands, Echoworx reinforces its alignment with the stringent demands of the European financial market. The FSQS system, managed by Hellios, provides a single, reliable standard for vetting third-party suppliers, streamlining procurement for major banks and financial institutions. Think of FSQS as a high-security passport for technology partners. It p
Nippon Electric Glass to Start World’s First Mass Production of Low-Carbon Pharmaceutical Glass Tubing Using an All-Electric Furnace16.12.2025 03:00:00 CET | Press release
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. (NEG)(TOKYO:5214), a global leader in specialty glass headquartered in Otsu, Japan, announced it will begin the world’s first mass production of pharmaceutical-grade glass tubing using an all-electric melting furnace. Commercial production is scheduled to start in December 2025 at its subsidiary in Selangor, Malaysia. This breakthrough introduces a new manufacturing model for pharmaceutical packaging. By combining NEG’s proprietary all-electric melting technology with renewable energy, CO2 emissions from glass tubing production can be reduced by up to 90%*1 compared with conventional fossil-fuel combustion furnaces. This positions NEG as a major supplier capable of delivering both high-performance borosilicate glass and a significantly lower carbon footprint, directly addressing global sustainability demands from pharmaceutical companies and regulators. NEG is a leading global supplier of arsenic-free, environmentally friendly borosilicate glass tubing f
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom