Telespazio will provide satellite connectivity for the Irish Marine Buoy Observation Network

Dublin  31 July 2020 12:00

  • Five deep field offshore buoys reporting data into the Irish Meteorological Service via satellite now using Telespazio’s Iridium Short Burst Data service

  • The buoys transmit, via satellite, real-time weather and oceanographic data and support oceanographic research

Telespazio – a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%) – has been awarded a contract to maintain satellite connectivity to the Irish Marine Data Buoy Observation Network.

The Irish Marine Data Buoy Observation Network has been managed for over 20 years by the Marine Institute in collaboration with Met Éireann and is designed to improve weather forecasts and safety at sea around Ireland. The Irish Marine Buoy Observation Network comprises five deep field offshore buoys that gather real-time weather and oceanographic data from around the Irish coast. The network provides crucial data for weather forecasting, risk management for shipping, advance warnings for the fishing community and coastal towns and villages, as well as oceanography research and data on Ireland’s deep waters.

Thanks to the new contract, each buoy will continue to use the Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD), an efficient network transport with capability for transmitting real-time short data messages via satellite. The Marine Institute has chosen the Iridium’s service as the most suitable for its needs amongst the vast portfolio of Telespazio's Mobile-satellite services.

We are delighted to be trusted by the Marine Institute to provide the communications for this vital network for the meteorological and oceanographic institute’s activities. We look forward to expanding our relationship with the Marine Institute and developing our business in Ireland”, said Alessandro Caranci, Head of Satellite Communications at Telespazio.

About the Marine Institute of Ireland

The Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for Marine Research, Technology Development and Innovation (RTDI). The Marine Institute seeks to assess and realise the economic potential of Ireland's 220 million acre marine resource; promote the sustainable development of marine industry through strategic funding programmes and essential scientific services; and safeguard the Irish marine environment through research and environmental monitoring.