Aireon global space-based ADS-B diagram. Photo: Aireon

[Via Satellite 10-30-2014] Harris Corporation has delivered Aireon’s first flight payload for integration into Iridium NEXT satellites. This is the first of 81 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) receiver payloads that will be launched and deployed on Iridium NEXT to provide Aireon’s real-time aircraft monitoring system, which aims to optimize global Air Traffic Management.

The Aireon space-based ADS-B service will complement ground-based air traffic surveillance systems currently in use by relaying position and status information of aircraft flying over oceans, poles and remote regions to Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) on the ground. In partnership with leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and investors from around the world, NAV CANADA, ENAV, IAA and Naviair, as well as Iridium, Aireon plans to provide opportunity for global air traffic surveillance as early as 2017.