IAA welcomes New Era of Global Aircraft Surveillance
Aireon will provide global surveillance for aircraft, compared to current 30% levels.
The Irish Aviation Authority, (IAA) has welcomed the successful launch of the final launch and deployment of the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation, hosting the Aireon space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) payloads.
Aireon is the first to provide global, real-time air traffic surveillance and tracking to air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and aviation stakeholders.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is a partner in Aireon along with other international air navigation service providers such as; NAV CANADA (Canada), ENAV (Italy) and Naviair (Denmark).
Mr. Peter Kearney, Chief Executive IAA, said the Aireon experts deserve full credit for their commitment and hard work to bring this innovative technology to reality.
“The IAA is a proud member of the Aireon partnership and we are excited at the opportunities offered by space based AADS-B to improve the safety, capacity and efficiency or air navigation and air traffic mgt. Aireon will provide global surveillance for Aircraft - compared to current levels of ground- based radar coverage of 30%.
“Indeed, this final launch is a key part of the jigsaw for Aireon alert, which will operate from the IAA facility at Ballygirreen in Co. Clare. It will offer a free, public service to airlines, as well as search and rescue services to pinpoint the last known location and track of aircraft globally,” he said.
Over the weekend a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and placed the final 10 Iridium NEXT satellites into low earth orbit (LEO).
The Aireon technology gives air traffic controllers and airlines a complete and comprehensive view of the entire sky.
This launch brought the total number of Aireon payloads in orbit to 75 (66 operational payloads and 9 spares), completing the historic launch program and passing one of the last remaining milestones before Aireon ushers in a new era of global air traffic surveillance and aircraft tracking.