If they can determine which satellites and a time stamp, they should be able to deduce course direction.
They probably already have, but are not telling us because it would have global ramifications.............I R A N..........Hacked Drone..................sound familiar?
Imagine if the world found out that ALL 777 or similar aircraft could be electronically hijacked with no warning........
I can't accept that any engine performance data transmitted at half-hour time intervals would include any information whatsoever about location, course or direction.
The only agencies with access to satellite information are not known for sharing data, in any case.