NSSLGlobal, a leading independent full-service project engineering, satellite communications and systems integrator is supporting former British Army Officer Jonny Huntington, who suffered a brain bleed that inflicted complete paralysis on his left side, as he aims to become the first disabled person to ski 911km solo and unsupported from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole. NSSLGlobal is providing essential connectivity, with deployable Wi-Fi access and satellite phones, together with 24-hour technical backup.
Throughout the 40-45-day arduous sled-pull, across one of the world’s harshest climates, scheduled to start in late November, Jonny will use satellite communications to check weather conditions, provide updates on his progress to a safety and support team, enable media content and keep in touch with family and friends. The LEO service leverages the Iridium constellation, which provides coverage where fixed orbit GEO satellites do not,because of the curvature of the Earth. The devices include an ExecGO! (in effect a small Wi-Fi device with emergency calling capability) and the Iridium 9575 robust satellite phones for voice calls. Having more than one system, backed up by spare batteries and solar charging will provide resilience for the dangerous trek.
Jonny was a newly commissioned officer and keen ultra-distance runner in 2014, when he experienced a brain bleed. After years of hard work and rehabilitation, he has restored limited control to his left side and is ready to take on Antarctic temperatures as low as -40°C without support.
Jonny, who is from Devon and competed for Great Britain as a para cross-country skier, hopes to inspire others with his Antarctic trek. “I strongly believe in the power of optimism,” he said. “Hopefully, by doing something positive, other people can derive their own encouragement. I’ve gone from thinking I would not be able to perform at a high level again to doing things that really push the boundaries.”
Sally-anne Ray, Group CEO, NSSLGlobal, said: “It is a source of great pride for us to sponsor Jonny on what is an incredibly bold and arduous trek. He is a genuinely inspirational person, and we wish him every success possible. Our highly robust, user-friendly equipment will give him the connectivity he needs for vital communications, helping overcome the total isolation in an extremely hostile environment where more conventional technologies simply won’t work. We’re looking forward to seeing Jonny reach the South Pole in what will be an immense achievement.”
In preparation for the biggest challenge of his life, Jonny spent 20 days skiing alone in northern Sweden where he pushed his endurance levels to cope with complete isolation and to pull a sled in poor visibility.
Jonny’s Expedition Timeline**
Nov 18th – Scheduled departure to Union Glacier, Antarctica
Nov 21st – Start window opens (Jonny will start when weather window is best)
Start to Finish of Expedition (circa 40 days) to South Pole
Return to Union Glacier
**subject to change due to weather delays
