Flat-panel satellite terminal manufacturer Kymeta has received full TÜV Rheinland certification for its Kestrel u5 satellite communications terminal.
The certification comes ahead of the product’s European rollout to rail operators, system integrators and train manufacturers across the continent.
The Kestrel u5 is designed to enable high-speed connectivity aboard trains for both passengers and freight operations. With TÜV’s backing, the terminal has proven compliance with recognised railway standards, including EN 50155, EN 45545-2 and EN 50121.
“Achieving full rail certification is a significant milestone for Kymeta and an important validation of the investment we’ve made in manufacturing this terminal,” said Manny Mora, CEO of Kymeta. “For too long, rail connectivity has been constrained by inconsistent coverage, limiting both the passenger experience and critical operational capabilities.
“With the TÜV certification, the terminal can now perform exactly as intended, delivering a new kind of secure, always-on connectivity to the rail industry.”
The Kestrel u5 is engineered as a purpose-built terminal for demanding highly mobile environments including rail applications, rather than a commercial product retrofitted for a secondary purpose. As such, the terminal was designed to meet the requirements of rugged mobile platforms, featuring high environmental protection ratings (IP69K) for durability and reliability, along with optimised power consumption averaging under 100W.
With its lightweight, slim-profile, rugged design, the Kestrel u5 satellite terminal has been engineered to suit environments where weather exposure, vibration and constant movement often challenge reliable connectivity.
The terminal features a flexible, no-moving-parts architecture that mounts easily to the top of rail carriages. Its passive cooling system and a durability-first design incorporates shock absorption, alongside its patented ‘radome’ design that maximises water-shedding on-the-pause or in motion allows for consistent high performance and assured connectivity in the harshest operating environments.
The terminal offers full-duplex connectivity with low latency and high broadband speeds. The ability to switch between LEO and GEO is supported and is also an optional add-on capability for rail customers. This multi-orbit capability provides trains with a more resilient and robust connectivity solution.
The SATCOM capability, meanwhile, provides a failover between satellite and existing cellular networks, allowing people to interact socially, stream entertainment, work, conduct business and go about their day-to-day lives.
With onboard trials already successful, and full certification achieved, the Kestrel u5 is set for several additional connectivity trials with some of Europe’s largest rail operators over the next 60 days.
The tests will include high-speed assessments up to 360km/h and be designed to demonstrate the Kestrel u5’s high-performance and reliable connectivity.
As further trials progress, the terminal will move toward a full-scale rollout across the European market and around the globe.
