I don't understand the endless confusion between SATCOM pings and ACARS data...
That statement only makes sense if ACARS at 1:07 already went via SATCOM, which would mean ACARS via VHF was deliberately? disabled before.
SATCOM pings and ACARS data transmissions are completely independent.
The article states that the ACARS data transmitted included GPS coordinates from the plane. It doesn't matter how it was sent - the GPS coordinates were part of the data.
Those coordinates were then used to 'calibrate' the interpretation of the SATCOM ping sent (independently) around the same time.
includes interesting bit about $10 upgrade to ACARS transmissions to send black box data in real time!
Interesting article.
He seems to be talking about an upgrade to the INMARSAT SATCOM box, not the ACARS system? Which would make sense since he works for INMARSAT...