Ground Control launches first certified Iridium Certus 9704 device
Ground Control has introduced the RockBLOCK Pro, the first certified Iridium Certus 9704 satellite IoT gateway to hit the market, marking a major step forward in remote communications technology. Designed for harsh outdoor and industrial environments, the ruggedised terminal is powered by the Iridium Certus 9704 module and Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT), enabling faster data throughput, significantly larger message sizes, and improved power efficiency compared to previous generations.
The RockBLOCK Pro supports bi-directional messaging from 25 bytes to 100 KB, suitable for transmitting aggregated sensor data, images and audio clips, with typical end-to-cloud latency of under 10 seconds. It also boasts an 83% reduction in idle power consumption over earlier Iridium 9602 and 9603 modules, enhancing its utility for mission-critical and power-sensitive applications.
Built to IP66 standards, the device offers flexible antenna options and maintains compatibility with legacy Iridium AT command sets, allowing seamless upgrades for existing deployments. Additional features include built-in GNSS, Bluetooth and configurable digital I/O, making it suitable for telemetry, asset tracking, environmental monitoring and autonomous systems.
The RockBLOCK Pro integrates directly with Ground Controls Cloudloop Data platform, enabling delivery to cloud services like AWS, Azure and Google Cloud, or through webhooks, MQTT and email.
Alastair MacLeod, CEO of Ground Control, said: 'RockBLOCK Pro redefines the satellite IoT gateway category by bringing together power efficiency, rugged design, and data capacity in a compact footprint, unlocking smarter, more responsive systems in the worlds most remote places. As the first partner to bring a certified Iridium Certus 9704 product to market, were proud to lead the next chapter of global IoT.'
Tim Last, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Iridium, added: 'The Iridium Certus 9704 packs a lot of power in a compact module, making it ideal for IoT applications that require real-time data analysis, analytics and automated decision-making. Ground Control has been a trusted Iridium partner for many years, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality developer hardware built on Iridium technology. Were excited to see them leading the way with innovative solutions that bring high-performance satellite IoT connectivity to the most remote parts of the world.'
RockBLOCK Pro is now open for early access inquiries, with the initial production run in May, and full production from July 2025.
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