The University of Michigan’s World Solar Challenge car, Generation.
Image Credit: Inmarsat

[Via Satellite 08-21-13] Inmarsat will sponsor the University of Michigan in the World Solar Challenge, a biennial race across the 1,864 miles of the Australian Outback. The University of Michigan’s car, “Generation,” is one of 28 entrants in the 2013 competition and the second team to be supported by Inmarsat in the solar endurance race for solar powered vehicles.

Inmarsat will provide the team with access to its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service, a global 3G network delivered by a constellation of advanced satellites. BGAN will enable the race team to communicate and share data between team members in Australia and in Michigan, while also keeping fans, friends and families informed of their progress.

“Equipped with Inmarsat’s BGAN service, the team will have access to broadband speed data and uninterrupted connectivity throughout their journey across the mostly uninhabited Australian Outback, helping them to achieve maximum performance during the race,” said Gerbrand Schalkwijk, VP, Inmarsat Energy.