Drone & UAV Satellite Connectivity
Meet mission-ready satcom for drones: tiny, tough hardware with true global IP connectivity for BVLOS and real time C2.
With RockREMOTE UAV (and RockREMOTE UAV OEM for chassis level integrations), you get Iridium Certus 100 IP in the smallest, lightest form factor in its class, plus flexible I/O to talk to your aircraft’s sensors and onboard computer.
What You Can Do With UAV Satellite Communication
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Communications
Maintain a deterministic, always-on link wherever your aircraft flies: pole to equator, ocean to desert. Iridium’s L-band provides global coverage & low latency, enabling BVLOS without cellular gaps or terrain-blocked line of sight radios.
Real Time Aircraft Command & Control (C2)
Execute C2 with confidence. Iridium Certus 100 midband IP enables responsive telecommands, geofencing, & health/position streaming at 22 kbps up / 88 kbps down, without the size, weight, or power penalties of larger terminals.
Positioning in GNSS-Denied Environments
Add an independent source of position and timing to UAV platforms operating in GNSS-jammed or spoofed environments. RockBLOCK APNT uses Iridium PNT to provide trusted position and timing data alongside existing GNSS and navigation systems.
Easy Integration with Sensors and Servers
Connect directly to your flight controller & companion computer via Ethernet & serial interfaces. Stream payload data over IP (TCP/UDP), use lightweight messaging (IMT), & drop into existing avionics stacks with minimal wiring and code.
Recommended Devices
Message-Based Control Modules
The RockBLOCK family gives you ultra compact, message-based satcom for drones, ideal for resilient control, status pings, and scripted workflows when full IP isn’t required. RockBLOCK 9603 uses Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) for lean C2 and compact telemetry, with truly global coverage in a tiny, low-SWaP package.
RockBLOCK 9704 uses Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) for bigger bursts – up to 100 KB – so you can move thumbnails, logs, configs, or richer status alongside dependable control messages. It keeps the same integration-friendly footprint and worldwide reach, making it a strong primary path for simple missions or a robust BVLOS failover.
BVLOS IP Satcom
RockREMOTE UAV and RockREMOTE UAV OEM provide Iridium Certus 100 IP connectivity for real time command and control, telemetry and payload data beyond terrestrial coverage. Both support up to 22 kbps uplink and 88 kbps downlink, along with Iridium Messaging Transport for efficient event-driven communications.
Choose RockREMOTE UAV for a finished, flight-ready terminal, or RockREMOTE UAV OEM for direct integration within the aircraft or payload system. Both connect to onboard equipment through Ethernet and serial interfaces and can be managed remotely through Cloudloop Device Manager.
Assured Positioning
RockBLOCK APNT is a compact developer PCB for integrating Iridium PNT into UAVs and autonomous platforms. It provides an independent source of position and timing that can be used alongside GNSS, helping maintain trusted navigation data in environments affected by jamming or spoofing.
Drone Satellite Communication Use Cases
BVLOS C2 & Telemetry Streaming
Use Iridium Certus 100 IP or IMT to maintain a command link and heartbeat from takeoff to landing. Typical profiles carry altitude, GPS, and payload status, with headroom for commands and geofence updates.
Payload Data & Imagery Backhaul
Send thumbnails or compressed stills in flight for rapid tasking, and offload larger sets during loiter; via the Mini’s 10/100 Ethernet to your companion computer over IP, or with IMT when messaging suits the workflow.
Remote ID, UTM & Fleet Ops
Share ID, position, and status with ops centers/UTM over global L-band, even beyond cellular. Use alongside required broadcast RID for compliance. Remotely manage fleets: status, logs, firmware updates.
GNSS Resilience & Assured Positioning
Use Iridium PNT alongside existing GNSS and navigation systems to provide an independent source of position and timing when GNSS signals are jammed, spoofed or unavailable.
Health Monitoring & OTA Maintenance
Collect aircraft/payload health metrics, then push config changes or firmware updates remotely via Cloudloop Device Manager; use system/service logs for diagnostics without site visits.
Choose Your Preferred Comms Profile
Choose your comms profile: RockBLOCK (SBD/IMT) for ultra-low power failover and essential commands, or RockREMOTE UAV/UAV OEM for full Certus 100 IP (plus IMT) for BVLOS C2 and payload data.
Ready to Fly Further?
Tell us about your aircraft and mission. We’ll size the link, share integration drawings, and recommend airtime plans tailored to your flight profile, whether you’re flying a single prototype or scaling a fleet.
Short lead times, OEM integration support (mechanical & electrical), and global airtime options are all available. Complete the form or email hello@groundcontrol.com, and we’ll respond within one working day.