The vessel’s traditional design left it without modern communication systems, making OneWeb the expedition’s sole means of connectivity.
During INSV Kaundinya’s 18-day voyage along the historic India-Oman trade route in the Indian Ocean, Eutelsat’s OneWeb provided high‑speed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity to the ship.
Inspired by ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques, the traditionally built stitched‑plank sailing vessel under Project Kaundinya retraced a historic maritime corridor, showcasing India’s rich seafaring legacy while promoting maritime innovation and national pride.
Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PM‑EAC), core crew member and project architect, said, “Satellite connectivity allowed us to stay connected with shore‑based teams, supporting communication, live feeds, and above all morale during long and sometimes challenging periods at sea.”
The voyage was documented along its route, with live updates enabled through OneWeb’s satellite network.
Neha Idnani, Regional Vice President Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat, and Board Director of OneWeb India, noted, “Project Kaundinya represents a rare convergence of India’s rich maritime heritage, national ambition, and technological innovation. Our OneWeb LEO technology is purpose‑built for mission‑critical environments, where crew safety, security, resilience, and real‑time communications are essential.”
Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO connectivity, deployed onboard the vessel, ensured reliable, real‑time communications throughout the journey. Given the vessel’s traditional design and absence of conventional communication infrastructure, OneWeb’s technology served as the sole connectivity link for the expedition.