Astrocast and SensAlpin to develop satellite communication monitoring stations based on SatIoT

27 Feb 2023 08:36 CET

Astrocast to develop a resource-optimized satellite communication system for
Central Asia's remote snow, glacier, and permafrost monitoring stations

Lausanne, Switzerland, February 27, 2023, Astrocast, a leading global
nanosatellite IoT network operator, announces today that the Swiss Polar
Institute has selected the company to develop a resource-optimized satellite
communication system for remote snow, glacier, and permafrost monitoring
stations in Central Asia. This project aims to address challenges associated
with acquiring a continuous time series of correctly measured environmental
parameters over a long time period; with consistent quality, particularly at
remote high-latitude and high-altitude field sites.

This project, which was initiated and driven by the University of Fribourg,
Switzerland will apply the satellite communication technology, developed by
Astrocast, to these remote monitoring stations. In doing this, Astrocast will
work closely with SensAlpin GmBH, Davos – a company that designs, builds, and
operates specialised equipment for environmental monitoring. The technology
deployed will be optimized for minimal resource use, e.g. low power consumption,
and will significantly reduce the prohibitive costs associated with existing
satellite communication services. Once developed, the system will first be
tested in the Swiss Alps, before being implemented on a recently drilled
permafrost borehole in the Akshiirak region in Kyrgyzstan.

This integration project is a joint effort between Astrocast and SensAlpin.
Together, both organisations have worked on a solution that integrates
Astrocast’s Astronode S+ on top of the control cabinet of the stations. As part
of the trial, an adequate housing for harsh conditions, as well as the software
for controlling the Astronode S+, will need to be implemented and tested in
Davos before it is deployed in Kyrgyzstan.

Climate change poses a significant challenge for humanity, and the related
global implications will influence and threaten future economies and the
livelihoods of many coming generations, especially in developing countries. The
UN General Assembly agreed upon 17 Sustainable Development Goals and related
Targets, representing an overarching framework for implementing the Paris
Agreement at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change. This project forms a part of this framework and supports
these aspirations.

Andreas Hasler, Project Manager, SensAlpin says, “Strategies to enforce climate
resilience, and to mitigate and adapt to climate change must be based on strong
and accurate baseline information. This includes data that can be tracked while
monitoring the climate through using sophisticated, cost-effective satellite
communication systems. In particular, the monitoring of Essential Climate
Variables, as defined by the Global Climate Observing System are important. And,
today, snow, glacier, and permafrost are considered Essential Climate Variables
to track.”

In addition, this project also aims to improve the current services of the
Hydromet and other research agencies in Kyrgyzstan and other countries in
Central Asia.

“Water resources are unevenly distributed in Central Asia and are mainly stored
in the cryosphere in the upstream countries - Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. As a
result, this region faces numerous challenges in water management, energy
production, irrigation, agriculture, environment, disaster risk reduction,
security, and public health. This situation is very challenging for these
countries and is taking their own sustainable development for the future into an
enhanced risk by the ongoing climate change,” says Martin Hoelzle, Department of
Geosciences, University of Fribourg

Fabien Jordan, CEO Astrocast says, “Our team worked successfully with SensAlpin
to integrate SatIoT into the satellite communication system that they developed
for this project. The experience that our joint teams have gained through
collaborating on this fascinating project will most likely result in additional
developments for similar use cases, such as those found in other polar and
high-altitude monitoring projects, where SatIoT can bring connectivity benefits
to important sensors and other forms of monitoring equipment. For instance,
based on this experience, our technology could be easily and cost-effectively
integrated into an array of data loggers available on the market – such as those
provided by the likes of Campbell Scientific, among others.”

END

ABOUT ASTROCAST
Astrocast SA operates a leading global nanosatellite IoT network, offering
services in industries such as Agriculture & Livestock, Maritime, Environment &
Utilities to name a few. The Astrocast network enables companies to monitor,
track, and communicate with remote assets from anywhere in the world. It relies
on superior L-band spectrum through a strategic alliance with Thuraya. In
partnership with Airbus, CEA/LETI and ESA, Astrocast developed Astronode S, an
ultra-low power and miniaturised module compatible with inexpensive L-band patch
antennas. Founded in 2014 by a renowned team of experts, Astrocast develops and
tests all its products in-house, from the satellites to the modules. Astrocast
is listed on Euronext Growth Oslo.

For more information visit astrocast.com


Media Contact
Fatima Vigil
media@astrocast.com

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