[Satellite TODAY 06-02-11] MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) and Spanish VSAT maritime communications provider Erzia have jointly installed MTN’s Rapid Deployment System (RDS) on the Spanish research vessel Bio Hesperides, MTN announced June 1.

    RDS, a mobile VSAT communications solution designed specifically for the maritime industry, aims to provide complete communications connectivity, regardless of location or condition, as end-users travel across the Pacific from Sydney, Australia to Cartagena de Indias, Columbia for the Malaspina expedition. The RDS solution also enables offshore energy vessels to quickly establish voice and data communications using a temporary turnkey Ku-band satellite connection and VSAT equipment.

    “Bio Hesperides is a Navy ship dedicated to marine science that uses X-Band satellites to connect their systems. When this vessel required additional coverage, they turned to the MTN/Erzia team based on our ability to install a fully operational temporary VSAT solution and supporting services within a day. We developed the RDS solution for this very kind of situation and are pleased to play a role in the BIO Hesperides’ scientific mission,” Ian Maxson-Davies, European commercial director for MTN Satellite Communications, said in a statement.