SatixFy and OneWeb’s IFC Terminal. Photo: SatixFy

SatixFy signed a contract agreement with OneWeb to design and build an In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) terminal that will work for both the operator’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) network and Geostationary (GEO) satellite networks. SatixFy’s U.K.-based multibeam antenna and terminal design team will lead the developmental project.

Using Electronically Steered Multibeam Antenna (ESMA) technology, SatixFy will design the terminal to support commercial, regional, business and government aviation end-users. The company said it would integrate both OneWeb’s modem as well as a GEO network modem inside the terminal.  SatixFy U.K.’s recently formed joint venture with ST Engineering, JetTalk, will sell the IFC terminal to commercial aviation markets.

SatixFy executives said that the deal will bring its ESMA technology to the market earlier than the company originally anticipated. This technology includes SatixFy and JetTalk’s recently developed Tx and Rx tile elements that will be used as building blocks for the planned terminal. The tiles completed their initial testing phase and are now being implemented in SatixFy terminals.

“The ability to deploy multibeam, multi-satellite, multi-orbit IFC terminals is key in SatixFy’s offering developed in partnership with ST Engineering through our joint venture JetTalk.” SatixFy CEO Yoel Gat said in a statement. “Aggregating capacity from multiple satellites will give customers the grade of service they expect on flights. This great leap forward is made possible thanks to the continuous support by ESA and UK Space Agency.”