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Discover the world through our connectivityWorld Space Week 2015

The satellites are powering connectivity all over the world – from the Earth’s tallest peaks and most hostile deserts, to the deepest oceans and furthest reaches in space. Places where cellular networks that we rely on in our everyday lives aren’t available.

Whether on land, at sea or in the air, Inmarsat makes it possible for people to use the internet, make a phone call, update social media, email, upload photos and even broadcast live video, no matter how remote their location.

Word Space Week Declared by the United Nations in 1999 as a celebration of space science and technology, World Space Week takes place on 4-10 October each year with the aim of encouraging young people to learn about space technology and the exciting career opportunities that are open to them. The theme for 2015 is Discovery.

Keeping the world in touch

To celebrate this year’s World Space Week, we’ve taken a look at how our satellite communications network is taking the world on a voyage of discovery every day.

From the middle of one of London’s busiest roundabouts, there is something very special going on. A team of skilled engineers is working around-the-clock looking after a fleet of 12 Inmarsat communications satellites, over 35,786 km (22,236 miles) away from Earth in geosynchronous orbit.

Contact us To find out more about Inmarsat’s involvement in the World Space Week to inmarsat.com/wsw

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How do satellite communications work?

Communication satellites are man-made and differ from natural satellites in the Solar System, such as the Moon

These satellites are like giant mirrors in space, bouncing pictures, telephone calls and internet data from one part of the Earth to another in superfast time

Rockets launch satellites into space to reach their orbits

The Proton Breeze M rocket that launched our Inmarsat-5 satellites into space is as tall as the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Satellites have to power themselves and use huge solar arrays (wings) to take energy from the sun

Our Inmarsat-5 satellites have a solar array wingspan of 110ft – the same length as the largest blue whale ever recorded

A constellation (group) of three Inmarsat satellites is needed to provide global satellite communications coverage.

Inmarsat satellites are in geosynchronous orbit which means they rotate at the same speed as the Earth, to appear at the same point at the same time every day

Each satellite is designed to last around 15 years but can last several years longer

Our Alphasat satellite is Europe’s largest telecommunications satellite and is as tall as a double decker bus, weighing more than 6.6 tonnes at launch

Our communications satellites receive information from the sender on Earth – called an uplink – and beam it back down to a Satellite Access Station on Earth – a downlink – which then sends the data or call to the receiver

To use our satellite communications you need an antenna or terminal to connect to the satellite

inmarsat.com/wswWhile the information in this document has been prepared in good faith, no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability (howsoever arising) is or will be accepted by the Inmarsat group or any of its officers, employees or agents in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or fitness for purpose of the information in this document. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed and excluded to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. INMARSAT is a trademark owned by the International Mobile Satellite Organisation, the Inmarsat LOGO is a trademark owned by Inmarsat (IP) Company Limited. Both trademarks are licensed to Inmarsat Global Limited. All other Inmarsat trade marks in this document are owned by Inmarsat Global Limited. © Inmarsat Global Limited 2015. All rights reserved. World Space Week September 2015.

For Inmarsat, our satellites are not only powering connectivity across the globe, they are also enabling us to discover a whole new world through science, exploration, sport, education and climate research, to name just a few examples.

Through our connectivity we take millions of people on a journey of discovery every day through social media, TV, news, websites and blogs. We also play a vital role in enhancing scientific knowledge and understanding. What will science and space help you discover today?

Life at the extremeNine months, seven teams, 38,739 nm – the Volvo Ocean Race is sailing’s toughest challenge. Throughout the adventure fans were able to discover what it was like to live life at the extreme thanks to our connectivity, as Onboard Reporters on each boat sent back amazing videos, stunning images and compelling stories from the world’s oceans. Our vital safety, tracking and crew communications services also enabled the crew to discover the best routes to take to win the race.

Pushing endurance levelsVeteran adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes took part in the gruelling Marathon des Sables, running 251 km (156 miles) across the Sahara Desert to support UK cancer charity Marie Curie. Pushing his endurance limits to the point where he could barely walk, he discovered his determination to complete the challenge and raise over £135,000 for the charity. We were able to join him on his journey via live broadcasts with the BBC from the middle of the desert, powered by our satellite connectivity.

Battling against the oddsWe tracked ex-British Army Royal Marine Peter Bowker as he become the world’s first amputee to cross the Greenland ice cap unsupported – discovering for himself that even with one leg he could overcome any challenge, inspire others by his actions and raise money for a charity close to his heart – Help for Heroes. Via Inmarsat the team shared breath-taking views from one of the most remote places on Earth, when they skied nearly 500 km (373 miles) across the icy wilderness.

Deep space discoveryWe’re proud to have been part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosetta mission, which saw the first landing of a probe on a comet. Inmarsat is powering communications from the Rosetta spacecraft and robot probe Philae, as they transmit images and critical scientific data discovery from the Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, 500 million km away.

Tsunami warning systemOur machine-to-machine (M2M) IsatData Pro service is helping to discover early warning signs of natural disasters and save lives by monitoring tectonic plate activity for the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS). The EOS carries out research on earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and climate change in Southeast Asia to help prevent devastating effects, such as the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia which killed 170,000, from ever happening again.

A journey of discoveryWorld Space Week 2015 is important because it reminds us all of the great strides that space and technology have made over the years to understand the universe we live in.