Astro SB011 – NTRIP and RTK Communications Loss

Date Released: August 5, 2025

Subject: Astro SB011 – NTRIP and RTK Communications Loss

Effectivity: Immediate

Required Action: Urgent – Aircraft should not be flown with NTRIP or RTK until a corrective firmware is installed.

Affected Part Numbers: All Astro

BACKGROUND

Freefly has identified a Linux driver issue on the Skynode companion computer that can interrupt the USB/serial connection to the flight controller when high-rate RTK or NTRIP correction packets arrive.

Symptoms:

• Auterion Mission Control (AMC) will display “Connection Lost.”
• Pilot Pro will continue to show correct flight mode and GPS status.
• Stick inputs remain live—pilots retain full control.

OPERATIONAL IMPACT

• Can occur during any RTK or NTRIP-based flight.
• Pilots may lose situational awareness.
• Use of NTRIP can also cause shifts in the GPS position which can trigger the issue mentioned in SB010.
• PPK workflows unaffected: All post-processed kinematic (PPK) data-collection methods remain fully supported and are not impacted by this issue, providing an alternative to RTK for certain use cases.

RECOMMENDATION

Aircraft should not be flown with NTRIP or RTK until a corrective firmware is installed.

1. Disable the NTRIP app on Skynode (if installed)
2. 1. Connect Astro to PC and navigate to http://10.41.1.1/apps
   2. If you have an NTRIP app installed, press on its gear icon, then delete.
   3. Reboot
2. Do not use the RTK base station
3. A separate service bulletin will provide upgrade details and reauthorize RTK and NTRIP use.