Iridium to Provide Satellite Tracking for Snowmobiles in Alaska's Tesoro Iron Dog Race
Iridium is providing real-time satellite data links to track the location and movement of teams participating in the 2007 Tesoro Iron Dog snowmobile race.
Billed as the “World’s Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race,” the Tesoro Iron Dog competition is scheduled to begin February 11, 2007. The six-day race covers a 1,971-mile route extending from Wasilla on Alaska’s south coast to Nome on the west coast and then to the finish line in Fairbanks. Iridium resellers have partnered to develop a Web-based global mobile asset tracking application using the Iridium satellite network.
The SBD Pro tracking module utilizes Iridium’s short-burst data service. The unit is powered by the snowmobile’s 12-Volt battery and has convenient front-panel LED status indicators to show power, GPS tracking and Iridium satellite connections at a glance. It also has an optional “man down” tether switch that automatically sends a distress message, which includes the GPS location if the driver is thrown from the snowmobile. This message can be sent to a predetermined email address, pager or cell phone and is user defined via a web portal.
The satellite terminal transmits data at predetermined intervals to a central server, where it is accessed using a secure Internet portal, providing a real-time picture of each racer’s position on a digital map display. In this way, race teams, sponsors, race officials and other interested spectators will view the current locations of competitors on the Tesoro Iron Dog Website (http://www.irondog.org/).
“For the Tesoro Iron Dog challenge, Iridium ’s solution leverages ubiquitous coverage across the entire state of Alaska via reliable satellite data connections, providing a vital safety tool for the race organizers and participants,” said Sam Romey, president . “It will also stimulate increased interest among fans, who will be able to follow their favorite teams on the Internet.”
“While we are pleased to provide this important safety service for the Tesoro Iron Dog Race, we recognize that a large number of Alaskans depend on Iridium as their sole communication link in their work, travel and day-to-day activities, and we view our satellite voice and data service as a vital public utility for the state’s citizens,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite. “Due to Alaska’s unique geography, Iridium is in many cases the only available communication link with the outside world.” |
15
February 2007
