Shaping the Future of IFEC with Next-Gen Satellites
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The European Union-backed SpaceRISE- a consortium including Hispasat, SES, and Eutelsat, among other partners- is setting a new standard for in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC). By merging the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technologies, the SpaceRISE program will offer more powerful connectivity options. As airlines continue to look to provide better connectivity options to passengers, this program will aim to offer reduced latency, faster speeds, and global coverage to meet the demand for dependable connectivity in the sky. This is a technological achievement and a stepping stone towards a more connected aviation landscape.

Next-Gen Satellites
Over the years, IFEC has evolved from a luxury to an expectation. In 2004, Lufthansa Airlines became the first airline to offer in-flight connectivity to its passengers on a flight between Munich International Airport (MUC) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). On this groundbreaking flight, passengers could access the internet for $30 for the whole flight or pay $10 for 30 minutes and 25 cents for every minute after. Throughout the past two decades, IFEC has dramatically evolved with Wi-Fi becoming a standard feature and an essential part of the passenger experience. In fact, many major airlines now offer free Wi-Fi across their entire route network.
In recent years, as the demand for connectivity has skyrocketed–especially on long-haul flights that traverse oceans–as such IFEC providers began to look into new technologies that will allow airlines to offer seamless high-speed connectivity across their fleets. Furthermore, this connectivity must allow passengers to not only communicate over messages but also use data-heavy applications such as streaming and gaming.
Throughout the past two decades, airlines have used mechanically steered antennas; however, these have begun to show their limits. Mechanical antennas have slower satellite tracking and handover speeds, and mechanical antennas cannot keep up, leading to service interruptions. On many long-haul flights that transverse the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, planes fly over ‘dead zones,’ hindering the passenger experience where there is no connectivity due to the remote location. But that will all change.
Today, the way a plane connects to the different satellites often causes interruptions throughout the flight. Planes connect to LEO and MEO satellites depending on their route and location. LEO satellites orbit at a lower altitude, 1,200 miles (2,000 km) or less, and this lower altitude enables them to provide high-speed connectivity and low latency. Despite these satellites’ global coverage, they consistently struggle to work in areas with substantial demand. Furthermore, these satellites continuously orbit around the Earth’s surface, and as such, antennas will frequently have to change the LEO satellite they are utilizing because it is out of coverage. Alternatively, MEO satellites orbit a much higher altitude, which varies between 1,243 and 22,300 miles (2,000 to 36,000 km) above the Earth. The high altitude enables it to have a wide coverage and robust performance. What’s more, MEO satellites provide exceptional coverage over a specific dense area. However, they do not cover the high latitudes where long-haul flights fly.
By combining LEO and MEO satellite technologies, SpaceRISE can offer uninterrupted connectivity to travelers even when flying in remote or high-traffic areas. According to Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, Eva Berneke, the program will offer “multi-layer, low-latency networks.” Only through the use of both LEO and MEO satellites can airlines provide the in-flight connectivity experience that passengers have grown accustomed to in a seamless and uninterrupted manner. According to SpaceRISE, this integration between the satellite technologies will be powered by an intelligent network management system, permitting them to provide connectivity regardless of demand and location.
Airline Connectivity
For the airline industry, SpaceRISE’s developments are immense. On the operational side, the enhanced connectivity will lead to better operational efficiency as real-time data sharing between the aircraft and the ground time will be more reliable. What’s more, it will allow airlines to increase safety and lower fuel costs thanks to optimizing flight paths and predictive maintenance. By adopting this technology, airlines can stay ahead in the competitive market landscape.
On the passenger experience side, SpaceRISE will support the growing trend toward complete digitization throughout the industry. Airlines want to give passengers an identical internet experience to their homes even though they are flying at 30,000 feet. With the continued advancements in technology, travelers have grown accustomed to always-on, high-speed in-flight connectivity. Due to the combination of satellite technology, airlines will now be able offer this to travelers, providing a wide array of connectivity services ranging from streaming live television broadcasts to high-definition streaming. Passengers will have a more enjoyable travel experience and, regardless of their flight duration or route, will be able to stay connected. For business travelers especially, this will ensure real-time communication and allow passengers to participate in video calls, stay in touch with people on the ground, and collaborate with others on projects.
The SpaceRISE program showcases Europe’s commitment to facilitating global connectivity through significant investment in these satellite technologies. This initiative will catalyze broader advances in satellite communications and set a new baseline for in-flight connectivity. It is set to revolutionize the passenger experience, ensuring that low-latency, high-speed connectivity will become an intricate part of modern airline travel. With airlines set to utilize evolutionary technologies, passengers can anticipate a future where staying connected in the sky is just as seamless as on the ground.