Satellite Technology Feature Article
May 28, 2009
Spacenet Aids Star Race Cars with Satellite Communication Services
By Anuradha Shukla, TMCnet Contributor
Spacenet’s high-performance Connexstar satellite communications services are supporting Star Race Cars, the exclusive producer of cars used in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.
Star Race Cars needs very reliable and transportable communications services for its Command Center Trailer to provide critical support on race days to the Star Mazda Series teams.
The car producer uses the trailer to provide key communications, including data transport between the command center and headquarters in California. The trailer also supports administrative and back-office applications.
Star Race Cars searched for vendors who could help them provide reliable communications network to support the Star Mazda teams at the races. Their IT Director/Timing & Scoring Tony Rodrigues said that they decided to choose Spacenet’s Connexstar service as it provides a more consistent solution with guaranteed minimum assured network speeds.
They are also happy with the Spacenet’s part-time plan, which helps them pay only for the service that Star Race Cars needs during the few days a month races occur. The company finds this to provide them with a more cost-effective solution than choosing a full-time option.
The system was deployed by Orbital Enterprises, a provider of fixed and mobile satellite communications systems and a Spacenet channel partner. Rodrigues noted that when combined with the design and integration expertise of Orbital Enterprises, Spacenet’s satellite services meet their communications requirements and help them provide better service to the Star Mazda Racing Series teams.
Star Race Cars deployed Spacenet’s Connexstar Performance series of satellite services to meet its high-speed data and voice requirements in its Command Center Trailer. The deployment was enabled by a transportable auto-acquire antenna, with design and installation support from Orbital Enterprises.
The satellite services enable transfer of large data and media files, VPN access, and support for wireless high-speed Internet access that is shared with the Star Mazda Racing Series officials during the races.
“Spacenet is excited to meet Star Race Cars communications requirements by providing a transportable and high-performance satellite solution with part-time services,” said Spacenet’s vice president of channels, Steven D’Argenio. Spacenet’s satellite services and minimum assured network speed guarantees, combined with Orbital Enterprises’ design expertise, provide a highly reliable and cost-effective solution that helps Star Race Cars provide improved support to the teams on race day.”
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Anuradha Shukla is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anuradha’s article, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Michael Dinan
