Galaxy 1 teams with Viasat to expand satellite links for BVLOS drone operations
Galaxy 1 Communications has partnered with Viasat to broaden delivery of satellite connectivity for drones and advanced air mobility aircraft. The deal focuses on scaling Viasat’s Velaris service through Galaxy 1’s managed Distribution Partner-as-a-Service model for operators moving toward beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations.
Galaxy 1 is not acting as a conventional reseller. It is adding a managed layer that combines provisioning, billing, compliance oversight and system integration into one framework. The company said the model is aimed at UAV and AAM operators trying to move from pilot programs to regulated commercial deployment without building every operational layer themselves. Its multi-API integration approach links flight planning, tracking and safety tools to support interoperability across connected systems.
The DPaaS offering built around Velaris includes partner onboarding, infrastructure and commercial enablement, application integration and end-to-end service management. Galaxy 1 said its IBIS and Remote Terminal Manager platforms provide real-time terminal visibility, secure lifecycle control, performance monitoring, cybersecurity support and compliance-ready reporting. Those functions matter as regulators place greater emphasis on traceability, resilience and oversight for BVLOS flights in controlled airspace.
Viasat is positioning the partnership as a way to accelerate deployment by pairing satellite coverage with a broader managed services layer and a larger partner ecosystem. Galaxy 1, which has more than two decades of experience in managed satellite connectivity and IoT enablement, is using the agreement to extend Velaris beyond basic connectivity into a more complete operational stack. Viasat, which completed its Inmarsat acquisition in 2023, operates in 24 countries.
The partnership underscores a wider shift in the drone sector from technical trials to scalable, compliance-ready operations. If the model works as intended, operators could cut the time and complexity required to launch BVLOS services, helping satellite connectivity become a practical backbone for commercial drone and advanced air mobility networks.