US communications provider Iridium forms JV with Nav Canada to monitor air traffic
21 Jun 2012
The world's only mobile voice and data satellite communications network operator Iridium Communications Inc said that it has formed a joint venture Aireon LLC with Nav Canada, operator of Canada's civil air navigation service, aiming to revolutionise global air traffic surveillance.
Aireon will make it possible for air traffic controllers around the globe, for the first time ever, to continuously track aircraft anywhere in the world, Iridium said in a statement.
The envisaged system will provide continuous space-based monitoring and control of aircraft, even over oceans and remote regions where it is not currently possible.
McLean, Virginia-based Iridium owns the Iridium satellite constellation which operates 66 active satellites in orbits providing voice and data coverage to satellite phones, pagers and integrated receivers over earth's entire surface.
The satellites orbit the earth at a height of approximately 781km, at speed of 27,000km/hr.
Aireon will deliver the new aircraft tracking capability to air navigation service providers (ASPs) with the support from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and suppliers Harris Corporation and ITT Exelis.
