. 24/7 Space News .
AEROSPACE
Preparing for air traffic control via satellite
by Staff Writers
Paris (ESA) Dec 23, 2016


An aircraft from the Netherlands Aerospace Centre carried a prototype Iris terminal connected to Inmarsat's next-generation SwiftBroadband-Safety satellite service. During four flights to different destinations in Europe, the connection between the aircraft and ground networks was tested extensively and air traffic control messages were exchanged. The trials were part of the public-private partnership between ESA and UK satellite operator Inmarsat to deliver high-capacity secure digital data links via satellite for air-ground communications for cockpit crews over European airspace under ESA's Iris Precursor programme. Image courtesy Inmarsat. For a larger version of this image please go here.

ESA recently completed its first flight trials using satellites to help bring Europe closer to its goal of modernising air traffic control. The trials are part of the public-private partnership between ESA and UK satellite operator Inmarsat to deliver high-capacity secure digital data links via satellite for air-ground communications for cockpit crews over European airspace under ESA's Iris Precursor programme.

By 2019, Iris Precursor will provide air-ground communications for initial '4D' flight path control, pinpointing an aircraft in four dimensions: latitude, longitude, altitude and time. This will enable precise tracking of flights and more efficient management of traffic.

An aircraft from the Netherlands Aerospace Centre carried a prototype Iris terminal connected to Inmarsat's next-generation SwiftBroadband-Safety satellite service as it took off from Amsterdam.

During four flights to different destinations in Europe, the connection between the aircraft and ground networks was tested extensively and air traffic control messages were exchanged. The connection was maintained even when the aircraft switched satellite beams.

Captain Mary McMillan, Inmarsat's Vice President of Aviation Safety and Operational Services, said: "As air traffic volume continues to increase, the digitisation of the cockpit is one of the ways to alleviate current congestion on traditional radio frequencies and optimise European airspace.

"Using the power and security of satellite connectivity through Iris clearly changes the game in comparison to the ground technology in use today."

These flight trials complement a separate test flight by Airbus with Inmarsat and other partners in March this year, providing initial 4D flight path control and data link communication exchanges between the pilot and air traffic control.

At the end of next year, Inmarsat plans a second phase of flight trials to validate the Iris technology.

The next step is to use Iris on commercial flights in a real air traffic management environment.

"ESA's Iris programme is forging ahead as part of Europe's long-term goal to modernise air traffic control. A stepped approach and good collaboration between public and private partners is bringing excellent results," commented Magali Vaissiere, Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications at ESA.

Iris is part ESA's collaboration with the Single European Sky effort of the European Commission, Eurocontrol, airport operators, air navigation providers and aerospace companies in a push to boost efficiency, capacity and performance of air traffic management worldwide.


Comment on this article using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
Single European Sky effort
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com






Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
AEROSPACE
Leonardo-Finmeccanica flight testing new SW-4 Solo helicopter
Rome (UPI) Dec 19, 2016
Italy's Leonardo-Finmeccanica has begun flight testing of its SW-4 Solo remotely piloted helicopter to verify its operational characteristics and validate flight procedures The testing is being performed in collaboration with the DTA, or Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale Pugliese, and the Italian Civil Aviation Authority. The testing started late last week in Puglia, Italy, and will co ... read more


AEROSPACE
India achieves advances multiple space systems in 2016

'Passengers' and the real-life science of deep space travel

NASA Readies for Major Orion Milestones in 2017

Spacewalk for Thomas Pesquet at ISS

AEROSPACE
United Launch Alliance launches EchoStar XIX satellite

Preparing to Plug Into NASA SLS Fuel Tank

Ultra-Cold Storage - Liquid Hydrogen may be Fuel of the Future

NASA Engineers Test Combustion Chamber to Advance 3-D Printed Rocket Engine Design

AEROSPACE
Small Troughs Growing on Mars May Become 'Spiders'

All eyes on Trump over Mars

Opportunity performs several drives to ancient gully

Full go-ahead for building ExoMars 2020

AEROSPACE
Chinese missile giant seeks 20% of a satellite market

China-made satellites in high demand

Space exploration plans unveiled

China launches 4th data relay satellite

AEROSPACE
OneWeb announces key funding form SoftBank Group and other investors

Space as a Driver for Socio-Economic Sustainable Development

Intel acquires ESA incubator company

SoftBank delivers first $1 bn of Trump pledge, to space firm

AEROSPACE
Meet a 'Spacecraft Dressmaker'

Mind-controlled toys: The next generation of Christmas presents?

Purdue analyzes environmental impact of space-based ADS-B

NASA Satellite Servicing Office Becomes a Projects Division

AEROSPACE
Astronomers discover dark past of planet-eating 'Death Star'

Microlensing Study Suggests Most Common Outer Planets Likely Neptune-mass

Searching a sea of 'noise' to find exoplanets - using only data as a guide

Are planets like those in 'Star Wars

AEROSPACE
Juno Captures Jupiter 'Pearl'

Juno Mission Prepares for December 11 Jupiter Flyby

Research Offers Clues About the Timing of Jupiter's Formation

New Perspective on How Pluto's "Icy Heart" Came to Be









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.