Eclipse snags 50+ plane connectivity retrofit deal

Eclipse Global Connectivity will fit more than 50 aircraft with a multi-orbit inflight internet solution. It will deliver services via SES’s multi-orbit satellite constellations.

We’re thrilled to unveil the latest innovation from our design division, Eclipse Technics, in collaboration with our respected partners. It’s a significant move forward in connectivity. – Marc Pinault, CEO of Eclipse Global Connectivity

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Eclipse will provide a fully integrated, turnkey solution for its airline customer, with key components delivered by ThinKom, Kontron, and Display Interactive.

ThinKom will contribute its ThinAir Ka2517 antenna to the solution. The antenna offers a low drag profile and power draw, while delivering the agility to seamlessly switch between the SES satellites in GEO orbit as well as the O3b classic and mPOWER MEO constellations. The companies also suggest the solution can operate across those two orbits simultaneously. Because the Ka2517 operates with separate apertures for send and receive it can use MEO for traffic in one direction and GEO in the other, as service levels and cost considerations dictate.

The on-board network will be driven by Kontron’s high-performance hardware. This includes the Ace Flight 4783 MODMAN for the SATCOM connection, the Cab-n-Connect A200 providing Wi-Fi to passengers, and the Ace Flight 4608 server enabling entertainment onboard.

With multiple Wi-Fi 6 access points on board, the Kontron system can support concurrent streaming-level performance for hundreds of devices.

The portal and other passenger-facing connectivity services will be enabled by Skywaves software components from Display Interactive.

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The companies expect initial flight tests for the certification to occur in Q3 2024. Production installations are currently targeted to begin in Q4 2024, concluding in early 2025. The rapid pace of certification and deployment speaks to the confidence the companies have in the maturity of the services.

While the SES capacity – including MEO services – is included in the Airbus HBCplus catalog, this implementation will occur outside the scope of that program. It also would appear to be the first commercial aircraft confirmed as contracted for inflight internet capacity on the O3b MEO constellation.

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