Satellite Burst Messaging
Satellite burst messaging is a communication method where data is transmitted in short, high-power bursts to orbiting satellites, minimizing transmission duration and reducing the probability of detection and interception. Services include Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD, up to 340 bytes uplink/270 bytes downlink), Globalstar simplex (9 bytes per packet), and BGAN (variable bandwidth). Burst messaging is the primary communication method for maritime, expeditionary, and polar operations beyond cellular and terrestrial radio coverage. The constraints — small payload sizes, variable latency (seconds to minutes), limited duty cycles, and per-message cost — require purpose-built protocols that maximize the information content of each burst.
How XO Defense Addresses This
The Mustard Envelope's 25-byte format was specifically designed for satellite burst messaging. A single Iridium SBD message can carry multiple Mustard Envelopes (340 bytes / 25 bytes ≈ 13 envelopes per burst), enabling batch transmission of position reports, transactions, and commands in a single satellite pass. For Globalstar simplex (9 bytes), the envelope can be fragmented across multiple packets with deterministic reassembly. Queue Burst handles burst scheduling, ensuring the highest-priority messages are transmitted first during limited satellite visibility windows.
Learn how XO Defense's 25-byte protocol stack operates in the most constrained environments.
View Protocol Stack →