CesiumAstro, a space communications operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with TCI Aircraft Interiors (TCI), a provider of aircraft cabin systems and in-flight connectivity (IFC) technologies, to evaluate advanced SATCOM technologies for commercial aviation. As part of this agreement, TCI will collaborate with CesiumAstro on the assessment of its Skylark antenna system, which is being developed for future aircraft connectivity programmes.
The collaboration represents a key step in TCI’s IFC technology roadmap and reflects the company’s commitment to exploring scalable, next-generation connectivity solutions. TCI will participate in the integration and performance testing phases of Skylark, supporting its progression from a flight-qualified product to a flight-demonstrated solution.
The initial work will focus on system integration and performance testing, and if the evaluation is successful, the in-flight phase will follow. This collaboration is intended to inform future IFC system design and help accelerate the adoption of high-throughput, multi-orbit SATCOM technologies in commercial aviation.
“Skylark is built for what’s next, not just what’s now,” said Trey Pappas, chief revenue officer at CesiumAstro. “This integration shows the industry that true active multi-beam airborne connectivity isn’t hypothetical. It’s here, it’s real, and it’s ready for production.”
Multi-orbit, multi-beam connectivity
Skylark is powered by CesiumAstro’s modular phased-array architecture, enabling simultaneous multi-beam links across LEO, MEO, and GEO constellations. Skylark is claimed to deliver the highest throughput per unit area on the market, while its solid-state design delivers space-grade reliability and uptime with no moving parts, and it is interoperable with evolving network topologies and modems.
The planned evaluation will begin with hardware and software integration and ground-based testing, followed by an in-flight demonstration (pending successful validation). The terminal is designed for high-capacity regional and widebody aircraft, and this programme marks the first step in operationalising Skylark for commercial aviation.
“As service providers race to meet the bandwidth demands of streaming-era passengers, Skylark offers a ‘ready now’ path to scalable performance at altitude,” said Ben Murphy, senior director of business development at CesiumAstro. “We’re already talking to integrators, airlines, and constellation operators who want terminals that can grow with them.”
The Skylark terminal
CesiumAstro has designed the Skylark terminal to deliver concurrent multi-beam operation, enabling simultaneous, high-throughput links across multiple constellations, without fallback logic or switching modes. TCI says that Skylark is a strong candidate for high-density aircraft connectivity in its IFC roadmap.
“TCI is proud to be driving the future of in-flight connectivity in strategic partnership with Turkish Airlines. Our ongoing IFC programmes for both THY and AJet are progressing in line with our roadmap, positioning us as a key technology partner in delivering next-generation connectivity to passengers,” said Hayri Özturan, director of inflight connectivity programs at TCI Aircraft Interiors.
“In parallel, through our collaboration with CesiumAstro, we are advancing our strategic roadmap for IFC hardware development and localisation. We have also established the TCI IFC Competence Center and System Integration Laboratory, where a highly skilled engineering team is dedicated to shaping the next evolution of airborne connectivity. Leveraging our cooperation with Türksat, we continue to deliver differentiated, globally competitive LEO/MEO/GEO adaptable solutions,” added Özturan.
