Traditionally, ground based ADS-B receivers along with Radar have been used to track aircraft. This method, however, has had its own set of challenges since ADS-B is based on the line of sight principle. Mountains, buildings, vast water bodies and other obstructions can significantly decrease a receivers range and ability to receive transponder emitted signals. Thus limiting a receivers coverage to a small geographic pocket (150 nautical miles on average).
Satellite based ADS-B is “the next big thing” in the flight tracking domain as it enables to provide flight data in places where ground-based ADS-B simply cannot reach.
How it works
Space based ADS-B uses data from receivers that are placed on nano-satellite constellations in space to track aircraft as they fly. With space based ADS-B, Radarbox will be able to track aircraft anywhere on earth, even over oceans. Thus allowing 100% global air traffic surveillance regardless of terrain, location or infrastructure. Tracking is not affected by weather or other natural phenomenon.
By complimenting the existing ground based ADS-B network, space based ADS-B will be able to provide a more complete picture to the users on the ground. Moreover, aircraft are not required to have any special equipment on board their aircraft or fleet other than an ADS-B out transponder.
Features
- 100% world-wide coverage.
- Overall efficient routing, fewer delays & enhanced saftey.
- Full integration with existing ground-based systems.
- Full compliance with FAA/EASA/ICAO flight tracking requirements.
Timeline
The satellite based ADS-B reception network will be available as early as next year. The first of ADS-B satellites is set to be deployed in Quarter 4, 2017 with further launches until Quarter 2, 2019.
- Q4 2017 – Test Satellites Active
- Q3 2018 – Full Coverage between North 30 and South 30
- Q4 2018 – Partial Polar Coverage
- Q2 2019 – Full Worldwide Coverage (Space Based ADS-B)
More details on radarbox24.com
