Intelsat recognised for Haiti earthquake satellite response

Intelsat has been recognised for ‘Outstanding Leadership in Use of a Mobile Solution’ by the Mobile Satellite Users Association (MSUA). The award was presented for Intelsat’s rapid deployment of FlexMove, a global, redundant, fully managed high-throughput satellite (HTS) solution, in the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck southern Haiti in August 2021.

The magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit the Tiburon Peninsula in the Caribbean nation of Haiti causing severe damage to terrestrial communication networks. Intelsat FlexMove was sent to the disaster zone to provide reliable, easy-to-use, high-speed connectivity.

Intelsat worked closely with HELP.NGO, an experienced international disaster response team trained to respond quickly to emergencies when existing communication networks fail. Once connected to the FlexMove network using the portable, auto-pointing Starwin FL60 terminal, HELP.NGO set out to mobilise resources and equipment to restore connectivity.

Once the team arrived at the earthquake’s epicentre to assess the damage, high-speed internet was set up and used to support intelligence coordination for the United Nations with survey shots of topography and aerial images of multiple disaster sites. As a result, local authorities and government agencies were able to determine where to deploy resources based on intel, video feeds and photos gathered.