How ATMOSPHERE collaborates with Thales to deliver a complete satellite communications package

Defence
Air
Civil Aviation

© Thales Alenia Space / Master Image Programmes

Type Insight
Published 20 Feb 2023
Last updated 19 May 2025

ATMOSPHERE, a specialist in aeronautical and satellite telecommunications, provides cutting-edge connectivity solutions for aviation. Their expertise extends to flight test departments, research institutions, and unmanned systems. Through a strategic partnership with Thales, ATMOSPHERE integrates FlytLink Airtime services with Iridium technology, enabling seamless global SATCOM solutions for aircraft and drones.

In this interview, Jean-Marc Gaubert, founder and managing director, shares insights into ATMOSPHERE’s market, their collaboration with Thales, and why Iridium has a competitive edge.

Can you introduce ATMOSPHERE in a few words?

ATMOSPHERE is a 15-person engineering company specialising in aeronautics, satellite telecommunications, and networking.

Our primary mission is to design, build, and operate end-to-end satellite connectivity solutions for aviation. We serve:

Flight test departments at Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, and Dassault Aviation
Research and science institutions, such as the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and France’s SAFIRE program (CNES, CNRS, Météo France)
International clients, including Canadian and U.S. institutions, with ongoing projects involving NASA for air traffic flow optimization

We estimate that over 1,000 professionals regularly rely on our solutions, installed as fixed or mobile SATCOM systems across different aircraft.

What are your emerging markets?

We are expanding into long-range lightweight drones, providing satellite connectivity for remote navigation and data transmission.

As the only European provider of Iridium Certus 100-based solutions, we ensure secure, reliable SATCOM for UAS operations. Our technologies are tested using our own fleet of drones, operated from a dedicated airfield in Germany.

What Thales capabilities are embedded in your solutions?

The launch of Thales FlytLink Airtime services has enabled us to offer a complete SATCOM package.

Our solution integrates:

Iridium-based modems (hardware)
FlytLink service for high-bandwidth satellite connectivity
Flexible airtime plans with modular pricing (quarterly, annual, etc.)

Additionally, our Planet 9770 SATCOM system is being integrated into Thales' new UAS100 long-range drone platform, reinforcing the mutual synergy between our companies.

What makes Iridium technologies superior to other satellite constellations?

The SATCOM market is highly competitive, but Iridium holds key advantages:

Global coverage: Essential for aviation, ensuring connectivity even in remote or polar regions
L-band frequency: More resilient to weather conditions (clouds, rain) than Ka-band, ensuring uninterrupted data transmission
BVLOS operations: Ideal for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone missions, such as offshore inspections or mountainous environments

How do ATMOSPHERE and Thales support real-world applications?

Our Project Saturn case study showcases SATCOM-powered unmanned aerial systems for:

Remote navigation and inspections
Big data transfer
Battery health monitoring for offshore wind farms

By integrating Iridium SATCOM with autonomous drones, we enable secure, real-time data collection in challenging operational environments.

As a former Thales employee, how has that experience shaped ATMOSPHERE?

Much of Thales’ DNA is embedded in ATMOSPHERE’s culture:

Technical excellence and passion for high-tech solutions
Structured project management methodologies
Commitment to continuous innovation

We balance large-group expertise with startup agility, which resonates with our big-industry clients who value our shared engineering culture.

Thales and ATMOSPHERE empower aviation with robust SATCOM solutions, integrating Iridium technology to ensure global, weather-resistant, and high-bandwidth connectivity.