Space-based air traffic management company Aireon has formed a consortium with air navigation service providers to develop space-based VHF voice and data communications for aviation.
The Aireon Space-Based VHF Coalition will develop the concept of operations for space-based VHF communications to improve airspace safety, efficiency, and sustainability by enabling the reduction of aircraft separation and more efficient routing.
Nav Canada, NATS, AirNav Ireland, ENAV, and Naviair are founding partners of the coalition.
Aireon has provided space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) surveillance to remote and oceanic aviation operations since 2019 to more than 50% of the world’s airspace.
ADS-B-equipped aircraft transmit identify and position data to ground stations. Aireon’s space-based receivers monitors these transmissions and provide coverage where there is no ground infrastructure, relaying signals from all ADS-B equipped aircraft to controllers and filling in gaps in coverage.
Space-based VHF communications would be provided in a similar way, and would be particularly useful in remote areas and over oceans where there is limited connectivity or without ground infrastructure.
The move to develop space-based VHF communications was kicked off in December when the International Telecommunications Union approved the allocation of new radio frequencies for aeronautical use.
Aireon plans to file for a license to operate a space-based VHF system in the newly allocated spectrum band. In addition, the company will work with the consortium partners and UN aviation body ICAO to develop technical and operational requirements and coordination.
Don Thoma, Aireon CEO said, “Aireon operates the only global space-based ADS-B system, so we understand the importance of enhancing communication, navigation and surveillance capabilities for aviation, particularly in oceanic and remote airspace.
“This coalition, composed of innovators and pioneers of space-based technology, will strive to overcome the challenges of space-based VHF to position Aireon to be the first air traffic control-grade provider of space-based VHF.”
Aireon itself was started as a consortium between satellite company Iridium and air navigation service providers in 2011. Today Aireon’s service is used in more than 40 countries and by 20 ANSPs. Aireon said that discussions are underway with additional Aireon partners to join the new consortium.
“As we embark on this new initiative, we will apply the same rigorous process to deploy and operate space-based VHF services as we did when we launched space-based ADS-B,” Thoma added.
“We are confident that this coalition is best suited to address the high-standard of quality that space-based VHF technology requires and is best suited to deploy another game changing service to the aviation community.”