Aireon

Aireon provides space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data for air traffic surveillance and aircraft tracking. Its receivers are hosted on the Iridium satellite constellation, so aircraft can be tracked over oceans, polar regions and other areas without ground radar. The company is based in McLean, Virginia and says it was founded in 2011.

Services

• Global air traffic surveillance for air navigation service providers (ATS surveillance)
• AireonSTREAM, AireonFLOW and AireonVECTOR data products
• AireonINSIGHTS, which covers Aireon Locate, a safety dashboard, turbulence and flight events
• AireonPORTAL for access to the data

Customers and markets

The company lists air navigation service providers, airlines, airport operators, aircraft manufacturers, aircraft finance companies and national security agencies as customers. It says about half of the world's airspace uses its space-based ADS-B data.

How the data is used

Aireon describes its service as the first global air traffic surveillance system built on space-based ADS-B. Air navigation service providers use it to see aircraft position reports in areas that radar does not cover, such as oceanic and polar airspace. The data is also offered to airlines and other aviation users for tracking and safety analysis.

Company facts

• Headquarters: McLean, Virginia, United States
• Founded: 2011, as stated by the company
• Receivers hosted on Iridium's 66-satellite constellation