Aireon, the pioneer of space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data for aviation, is exploring ways to leverage its unique global data set to help improve aviation safety and operations, including by identifying and monitoring turbulence encounters as well as global hotspots for GPS jamming.
The McLean, Virginia-based firm, which was co-founded by Iridium Communications and multiple air navigation service providers (ANSPs) “is currently working with the research community and commercial airlines to introduce the capability later this year that will identify and monitor turbulence events,” revealed Iridium CEO Matt Desch during Iridium’s fourth quarter and full year 2024 earnings conference call.
Turbulence events, Desch noted, create significant safety and economic impacts to the aviation industry and flying public. And indeed, it seems that the severity of these events has been increasing of late.
Every satellite in Iridium’s 66-satellite NEXT Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation carries the Aireon payload, a space-based ADS-B receiver that monitors aircraft in real-time.
Last fall, Aireon revealed it is developing a methodology to include turbulence detection during all phases of flight, as well as the identification of precursors for these turbulence events. Its work has clearly borne fruit, as Desch’s comments attest.
In another example of how Aireon’s cloud-based data analytics capabilities are helping to solve safety issues facing industry, Desch divulged:
There have been significant increases in the frequency of GPS signal jamming and aircraft position spoofing, and the Aireon system can identify global hotspots, real-time jamming events and provide aircraft tracking independent of GPS. This will enhance safety for both ANSPs and airlines.
Aireon now has relationships representing over 40 countries that cover more than half the world’s airspace. During the last several years, it has also broadened its market position to monetize its rich data set of global aircraft movements, inking commercial data service agreements with aerospace giants including Airbus, Boeing, ForeFlight, GE Airspace, and others, Desch explained on the call. This allows these companies to streamline workflows between flight planners and pilots, and optimize flight paths and maintenance services to inform and enhance flight operations.
Iridium still holds a significant equity stake in Aireon, confirmed Desch. “The analyst community has been valuing our stake at about $2.00 per share going as far back as 2018.”
He said Aireon has “fully rebounded” from the headwinds associated with the Covid pandemic, remains EBITDA positive, and continues to expand its service offering. It has even announced plans to explore bringing space-based VHF services to the aviation marketplace.
“We’re supporting them on that effort,” Desch said.
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Featured image credited to Mary Kirby
