RockSTAR
The RockSTAR two way messenger is a truly global communication device and tracking system. It allows you to send and receive short messages from anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky. Rugged tough and with a 12 month battery life on a single charge, it’ll be available when you need it.
Key Features
RockSTAR supports safer remote operations with configurable tracking, dedicated emergency alerts and flexible messaging for teams working beyond cellular coverage.
Enhances Worker Safety
A dedicated alert button and configurable timer, dead-man, temperature and power-loss alerts help teams identify incidents and respond quickly.
Flexible Location Tracking
Choose reporting intervals from five seconds to 12 hours to balance operational visibility, battery life and airtime requirements.
Message From the Device or App
Send preset messages directly from RockSTAR or pair it with a phone or tablet over Bluetooth to write and receive custom messages.
Visibility Through Cloudloop Tracking
View current locations, journey history and alerts, create geofences and communicate with remote users through one secure platform.
How It Works
The handheld unit is waterproof, ruggedized, and built to withstand the most challenging environments. It’s an ideal safety device for lone workers, expeditions, remote healthcare professionals and site inspectors, and anyone travelling outside cell phone range frequently, or for an extended period of time.
The tracker will wake up on a regular basis, obtain a position using the GPS satellite network, and then transmit that position back to Ground Control HQ in seconds using the Iridium satellite network. The message is relayed to us from Iridium and then we visualize the positions on Cloudloop Tracking, our easy-to-use web-based viewer.
The RockSTAR also allows short messages (like SMS, social media updates, and short emails) to be sent using a paired Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone, and the Messenger app. This allows for full two way communication wherever you are, even when out of cellular network range.
Use The Platform That Works For You
View and manage RockSTAR devices through Cloudloop Tracking or integrate their data into your own software and operational systems.
Integrate With Your Platform
Use our APIs to bring RockSTAR data into the applications your teams already use.
- Connect with existing software
- Feed positions, messages and alerts into your systems
- Incorporate tracking into operational workflows
- Retain your preferred interface and user experience.
Use Cloudloop Tracking
Cloudloop Tracking brings personnel locations, alerts and messaging together in one map-based platform.
- Live personnel locations and position history
- Geofences and configurable alerts
- Two way messaging
- Multiple users, permissions and remote commands.
Why Choose RockSTAR?
Keep People Connected Anywhere
Maintain two-way communication with personnel working beyond cellular and Wi-Fi coverage through the global Iridium satellite network.
Strengthen Lone Worker Safety
Support remote teams with a dedicated alert button and configurable timer, dead-man, temperature and external power-loss alerts.
Respond Quickly to Incidents
Receive emergency alerts and exchange messages directly with personnel when assistance is required or operating conditions change.
Maintain Operational Visibility
View current and historical personnel locations, monitor journeys and create geofences and alerts through Cloudloop Tracking.
Communicate Your Way
Send preset messages directly from RockSTAR or pair it with a smartphone or tablet to exchange custom messages, emails and SMS.
Operate for Longer Between Charges
Achieve weeks or months of operation from a single charge, with up to 12 months of battery life at the lowest reporting frequency.
In this overview, discover how the RockSTAR enables reliable location tracking and two-way messaging beyond cellular coverage using the Iridium satellite network. Key features covered include emergency and custom alerts, long battery life, Cloudloop team management, flexible billing options, and real-world applications for lone workers, field teams and remote operations.
Whether you’re supporting lone workers, remote operations or expedition teams, this overview highlights what RockSTAR can offer. Find out more about the device and its capabilities using the links below.
Product Specifications
Communications
- Satellite Service
- Short Burst Data (SBD)
- Satellite Coverage
- Global Iridium network coverage
- Satellite Transceiver
- Iridium 9602
- Satellite Antenna
- Integrated Maxtena helical antenna
- Positioning
- GPS
- Tracking Intervals
- Configurable from every 5 seconds to every 12 hours
- Two Way Messaging
- Preset messages from the device; custom messages through a Bluetooth-connected smartphone or tablet
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth Low Energy for messaging and configuration using the RockCONNECT app
- User Interface
- Five-button keypad, dedicated alert button and single-color OLED display
- Alert Options
- Dedicated alert button, timer alert, dead-man alert, temperature alerts and external power-loss alert
Physical and Environmental
- Dimensions
- 144 x 76 x 36 mm / 5.67 x 2.99 x 1.42 in
- Device Weight
- 305 g / 10.8 oz
- Display
- Single-color OLED, 26 x 35 mm / 1.02 x 1.38 in
- Ingress Rating
- IP67 (submersion up to 1m for 30 mins)
- Operating Temperature
- -30°C to 60°C (-22°F to 140°F)
- Storage Temperature
- -40°C to 85°C / -40°F to 185°F
- Operating Humidity
- Less than 75% relative humidity
- Ruggedness Testing
- MIL-STD-810G testing for vibration, temperature and shock
- Regulatory Compliance
- CE and FCC compliant
Electrical
- Power Source
- Internal rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
- Charging Input
- 5 V DC via USB at approximately 1.1 A
- Power Connection
- USB
- Charging Time
- Approximately 7 to 8 hours
- Battery Life At One-Minute Tracking
- Approximately 2 days
- Battery Life At Five-Minute Tracking
- Approximately 9 days
- Battery Life At 15-Minute Tracking
- Approximately 26 days
- Battery Life At 30-Minute Tracking
- Approximately 52 days
- Battery Life At One-Hour Tracking
- Approximately 104 days
- Maximum Battery Life
- Up to approximately 400 days when tracking every 4 hours
- Battery Service Life
- Designed to retain at least 90% capacity after 1,000 charging cycles
Interfaces and Integration
- Cloudloop Tracking
- Live and historical position monitoring, alerts, geofences and two-way messaging through a web-based map interface
- Third-Party Integration
- RockSTAR data can be integrated into proprietary or third-party systems using Ground Control APIs
- Mobile Application
- RockCONNECT app for Bluetooth messaging, configuration and firmware updates
- Over-The-Air Configuration
- Key operating parameters can be reconfigured remotely
- USB Connectivity
- USB connection for charging, data transfer and access to internal storage
- Fleet Administration
- Supports multiple devices, device groups, users and configurable permission levels
- Data Security
- AES-256 encryption available on supported corporate models
Resources
Here are a few useful resources to help you assess RockSTAR, including airtime rates, technical specifications and coverage information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use the device to send/receive short messages – either using the device itself, with preset messages, or by linking with an iPhone/iPad/Android device to send custom messages.
Messages sent from the device itself are always sent to the group of people you nominate in the management system – i.e. any message will be sent to all configured responders; you can’t choose a specific person.
Messages sent via the Bluetooth link (using the Messenger app) can be sent to any destination, via either email address or cell/mobile phone number.
In all cases, people can reply to those messages, via e-mail or SMS, and the messages will come back to either the device or the Messenger app respectively.
As with all satellite-based devices, the better view of the sky the unit has, the better it will perform.
RockSTAR units use two sets of satellites: GPS satellites in order to get a position fix, and Iridium satellites to transmit that position back to base. The GPS signal is weaker than the Iridium signal.
Typically, if the RockSTAR is near to a window inside then it may be able to obtain a GPS fix and transmit, although it will take longer than normal, and will therefore use more battery power.
If the unit is deep inside a building then it’s unlikely to get a fix or transmit very well, and will therefore use up a lot of battery quite quickly. However, we have had devices transmit successfully from inside caves, fridges, under the seats of cars, and so on – so it is possible, just not guaranteed, and not as reliable as usual.
As a rule, the better view of the sky you can provide for the RockSTAR, the better it will perform and the longer the battery will last.
Lithium Ion batteries should not be kept permanently at 100%, and so when the RockSTAR is fully charged, a battery protection circuit will start working, and will allow the battery to run down to 95% and then top it up again.
If you have the unit on charge for a long period, you may find it is showing something like 96% rather than 100%. Do not worry about this, it is perfectly normal, and it is the battery protection system doing a good job.
The RockSTAR has a huge battery capacity, so you should not worry about a few % difference. It is better that the battery will last for many years of service, and so this system protects against this.
Updating your firmware is a relatively simple process. If you have a Mk3 tracker (sold from October 2014 onwards) then you can do this via the RockCONNECT app. Go to Advanced, Firmware Update, and follow the instructions to ensure you have the latest firmware.
If you have a Mk2 tracker or earlier (bought before October 2014) then please email us for instructions.
Unless advised otherwise, please don’t do this when you are in mid-expedition, or just about to get on a plane to Peru… as with all firmware update processes, there is a very very minor risk that the process will fail.
If in any doubt at all, please see Firmware Release Notes or contact us at help@groundcontrol.com for advice and support.
RockSTAR units and YB units are both manufactured by Ground Control, and they are identical in terms of hardware.
The difference is in the Cloudloop Tracking platform, which you get as part of the RockSTAR package, and which makes it ideal for multiple users.
Want to know more?
We take pride in designing and building the RockSTAR ourselves. Over the years we’ve enhanced and added features based on feedback and specific customer requests, to ensure our device meets your needs.
Simply complete the form to find out whether the RockSTAR is the right fit for your organization. With our 20 years of expertise, we’ll guide you in making the optimal choices for your critical communication requirements. If you prefer to speak to someone directly, call us on +44 (0) 1452 751940 (Europe, Asia, Africa) or +1.805.783.4600 (North and South America).