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]
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
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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.
^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".
^"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.
^"Foreign ICAO 3LD Additions and Modifications (excluding U.S.)" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
External links
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Hanomansing, Ian (2 April 2019). "New real-time tracking system locates planes anywhere in the world". CBC News. Retrieved 3 April 2019.