ATS Surveillance Archives

Aireon System Deployment Continues with Seventh Successful Launch

January 8, 2024July 25, 2018 by Emily Feliz

Aireon announced today the seventh successful launch and deployment of its space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) payloads, hosted by the Iridium® NEXT satellite constellation. At 04:39:30 AM PDT (11:39:30 UTC), a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and placed 10 new Iridium NEXT satellites into low earth orbit, bringing the total number of Aireon payloads in orbit to 65.

NATS takes equity stake in Aireon to help accelerate technology revolution in global aviation surveillance

January 8, 2024May 16, 2018 by Emily Feliz

he UK air traffic management service provider, NATS, has announced it has invested in Aireon, the company pioneering a space-based air traffic surveillance service set to revolutionize the aviation industry.

What is it like to attend a SpaceX launch?

January 9, 2024February 6, 2018 by Emily Feliz

Seeing a SpaceX launch first hand is one of the most miraculous experiences I’ve had in my lifetime. I had the privilege of attending the 4th Iridium NEXT launch on December 22nd, 2017, which created quite the buzz on the internet.

ASECNA to Deploy Space-Based ADS-B in Western and Central Africa

January 5, 2024January 9, 2018 by Emily Feliz

Aireon announced today that it has signed a data services agreement with the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA). ASECNA, created in December 1959 is an international public organization of 18 members States which headquarters is located in Dakar (SENEGAL).

Fourth Set of Iridium NEXT Satellites Arrive in Orbit and Provide Telemetry

January 8, 2024December 27, 2017 by Emily Feliz

ridium Communications announced today that the fourth set of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites, launched Friday by SpaceX, are functioning nominally and have begun the testing and validation process. Not only did this fourth launch mark the midway point of the Iridium NEXT launch campaign, it is also the first Iridium NEXT launch to use a flight-proven Falcon 9 rocket.

Q&A with Dr. Michael Garcia, Director of Systems Engineering at Aireon

January 9, 2024December 8, 2017 by Emily Feliz

With nearly a third of Aireon’s space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) payloads already active in orbit, and with several successful flight tests under its belt, Aireon is well on its way to bringing the first truly global aircraft tracking and surveillance system to fruition. Recently, Aireon’s Director of System Engineering, Dr. Mike Garcia took some time to answer a few questions about how the AireonSM system works, and how well it is functioning.

Successful Third Launch Brings 10 More Aireon Payloads to Orbit

January 28, 2026October 9, 2017 by Emily Feliz

Aireon announced today the successful launch and deployment of the third batch of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites, carrying its space-based automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) payloads. Conducted from Vandenberg Air Force Base with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 5:37 a.m. PDT, this launch has increased the total number of Aireon payloads in orbit to 30, with another 45 destined for space in a series of five additional launches planned over the next ten months.

Aireon Gives the Air Traffic Control Association’s (ATCA) Young Aviation Professionals the Inside Scoop on Space-Based ADS-B

March 13, 2024August 16, 2017 by Emily Feliz

On Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, Aireon hosted a group of ATCA’s Young Aviation Professionals (YAP) at Aireon’s headquarters, in McLean, Va. YAP is an organization that is near and dear to Aireon’s heart, and is dedicated to developing the aviation industry’s newest leaders. YAP focuses on career development and empowerment through providing knowledge and exposure … Read more

SANS and Aireon Announce Commencement of Space-Based ADS-B Concept of Operations

January 28, 2026July 14, 2017 by Emily Feliz

Aireon announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS), Saudi Arabia’s Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). SANS is managing one of the largest and busiest airspaces in the Middle East, and through this MoU, SANS will develop and analyze a concept of operations for space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) as an additional layer of surveillance. Aireon’s space-based ADS-B system is completely independent of traditional ground-based services.

NAV CANADA and Aireon Complete Successful Space-Based ADS-B Flight Test

January 28, 2026May 3, 2017 by Emily Feliz

Aireon announced that NAV CANADA has completed a successful flight test of space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology. The test was conducted to collect ADS-B data used for validating Aireon’s satellite aircraft surveillance and tracking service.

FAA and Aireon Announce Space-Based ADS-B NextGen Technology Flight Test Success

January 5, 2024April 26, 2017 by Emily Feliz

Aireon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a successful flight test of space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology, collecting ADS-B data to be used as part of a larger validation effort exploring the new system’s capability from low-earth orbit.

Initial Operational Test of Aireon Payloads

January 9, 2024January 31, 2017 by Emily Feliz

Twelve days after the delivery of 10 brand new Iridium NEXT satellites to low-earth-orbit, aimed at replacing the legacy “Block 1” satellites, Aireon was able to validate that the ADS-B payloads survived the launch. The initial operational tests conducted were planned to command the payloads power-on and verify that self-test parameters were successfully communicated through the on-board processor and space-to-earth communications link.