Aireon
Aireon is an American company based in McLean, Virginia. Founded in 2011, it manufactures, deploys, and operates a global aircraft tracking and surveillance system[1] utilizing satellite-based receivers to monitor the existing ADS-B transmissions of aircraft, for global air traffic surveillance.[2][3][4]
Type | Private company |
---|---|
Founded | 2011 |
Headquarters | , USA |
Products | Air Traffic Control Data, GlobalBeacon, and Aireon Alert |
Services | Space-Based ADS-B |
Website | aireon.com |
History
Aireon was launched in 2011 as a joint venture between satellite communications company Iridium Communications Inc, Nav Canada, NATS,[5] ENAV,[6] Naviair[7] and the Irish Aviation Authority to work on a surveillance system to track aircraft around the globe, beyond the range of ground-based radar and ADS-B receivers, in real time.[8][9][10] Nav Canada invested $150 million to acquire a 51% stake in the project.[11][12][13]
In September 2016, Aireon launched a partnership with FlightAware to provide space-based ADS-B to airlines and other aircraft operators with Qatar Airways as the launch customer.
In January 2017, Aireon launched and deployed its first ADS-B payloads on Iridium Next satellites. Seven launches followed the first launch.[14][15] The eighth and final launch in January 2019 completed the satellite 'constellation' and put the total in-orbit Aireon payloads at 75 (66 operational payloads and 9 spares). [16][17][18][19][20]
National ANSPs including Nav Canada, UK NATS, ENAV, IAA, AAI, Naviair, Isavia, CAAS of Singapore, ATNS of South Africa, DC-ANSP, ASECNA, Seychelles (SCAA), COCESNA Honduras and PNG of Papua New Guinea have signed a Data Services Agreement with Aireon.[21][22][23][24]
Technology
ADS-B-equipped aircraft transmit short data packets containing identification, position and other information. The system was intended to be used with ground-based receivers. Through its receivers in space, Aireon monitors these transmissions, providing coverage where there is no ground infrastructure, relaying signals from all ADS-B equipped aircraft to controllers.[25][26]
Iridium Communications hosts the Aireon payloads on its constellation of Iridium NEXT low-orbiting communication satellites.
Aireon's receiver data is also processed by FlightAware which has partnered with Aireon to provide data to airlines, other aircraft operators, and the public.
References
- "Malaysia Airlines to track planes with satellites". BBC News. 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- "Aireon Surveillance Payloads See First ADS-B Traffic". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- "Aireon and LVNL to assess space-based ADS–B". Airport Technology. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- "Aireon Launches, Deploys 10 More Iridium Next Satellites with ADS-B Payloads". Avionics. 2017-06-26. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- "nats-buys-equity-stake-in-aireon-in-space-based-aircraft-surveillance-tech-push". 17 May 2018.
- "italys-stake-in-aireon-comes-under-fire".
- "aireon-completes-requirements-for-third-investment-from-nav-canada". 30 June 2014.
- "Free Satellite Tracking Will Improve Ability To Locate Lost Planes". Business Insider. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- Dillow, Clay. "This Technology Will Make Missing Planes a Thing of the Past". Fortune. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- "Aireon Launch Begins New Era for Satellite-Based Aircraft Surveillance". Flying Magazine. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- Ramchandani, Nisha. "CAAS and Aireon pair up to improve aircraft tracking". The Business Times. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- Presutti, Carolyn. "SpaceX Deploys Airplane Trackers in 'Delicate Choreography'". VOA. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- Spillane, Hayley (2017-03-06). "Aireon Launches First ADS-B Hosted Payload and Begins Testing and Validating Data - Via Satellite -". Via Satellite. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- "Aireon and FlightAware Partner to Launch GlobalBeacon Airline Solution for ICAO Airline Flight Tracking Compliance". Aireon. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
- "Qatar Airways to be Launch Customer for Flight Aware, Aireon Flight Tracking". Via Satellite. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
- "SpaceX sets Sept. 30 for third Iridium Next launch - SpaceNews.com". SpaceNews.com. 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- "La DSNA monte à bord de l'ADS-B satellitaire d'Aireon". Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- "Space Radio Developed For NASA Could Change Flight Tracking Worldwide". Tech Times. 2017-01-30. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- "Successful Fifth Launch Brings Aireon(SM) Global Air Traffic Surveillance System Closer to Full Deployment".
- "Iridium Completes Historic Satellite Launch Campaign".
- "Aireon aims at Asia, LatAm as Iridium deploys satellites". Reuters. 11 December 2015. Retrieved 2017-08-21.
- "Space X rocket with 10 Iridium satellites launches from Vandenberg". sanluisobispo. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- "SpaceX launches first batch of Iridium NEXT satellites". GPS World. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
- "asecna-aireon-provide-air-traffic-surveillance-africa".
- "Aireon Will Add ADS-B Receivers to Iridium Satellites for Worldwide Aircraft Surveillance". Aviation International News. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
- "Saudi Arabia's SANS, Aireon launch space-based ADS-B surveillance operational concept | Air Traffic Management | Air Traffic Management - ATM and CMS Industry online, the latest air traffic control industry, CAA, ANSP, SESAR and NEXTGEN news, events, supplier directory and magazine". www.airtrafficmanagement.net. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
External links
- Hanomansing, Ian (2 April 2019). "New real-time tracking system locates planes anywhere in the world". CBC News. Retrieved 3 April 2019.