Spanish satellite ATM project Startical is to use space-based aeronautical frequencies for its satellite constellation after a key approval for its technology was granted.
Last week the Plenary Session of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) approved a new allocation to the AMS(R)S (aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) service) on the VHF aeronautical band (117.975 - 137 MHz). The decision paves the way for new developments and projects that can help to optimize air traffic control (ATC).
Startical is a public-private initiative that involves Spain’s ANSP ENAIRE and ATC sector supplier Indra. The company aims to create and deploy a network of small satellites at a low altitude to improve air traffic management with a global service vision over the entire planet.
The company will use the aeronautical frequency band and provide VHF communications services (voice and data) and surveillance for air traffic management.
The new development will deliver global air traffic management (ATM) coverage to remote oceanic and continental areas and serve as backup for continental areas with ground station-based surveillance coverage. This will be key to reducing aircraft separation, optimizing aeronautical routes by reducing separation standards and CO2 emission levels and increasing efficiency and capacity, while reinforcing the required level of operational safety.
With the allocation, the Startical project will take a firm step towards the modernization of air traffic control infrastructure in areas without communications and surveillance coverage that use conventional radar systems.
This authorization has been obtained after four years of work at the ITU, where Startical has contributed to the technical feasibility, compatibility and interoperability studies of this service from space with the current ground services.
Juan Enrique González Laguna, CEO of Startical said, “This is a fundamental milestone that will facilitate Startical’s business model, the result of huge efforts made in record time. It’s a success story that opens the door to further development of the Startical project.”