Startical achieves a new milestone: the first transmission of VHF communications and data from space

Startical has achieved a new historic milestone for aviation. The company formed by ENAIRE and Indra has achieved, for the first time in the world, the transmission of data between an aircraft and the air traffic control system using VHF communications sent from space in real time. 

This breakthrough follows the success achieved in May, when the first real-time voice communication via satellite between a pilot and an air traffic controller was completed. With these two pioneering achievements — voice and data — Startical has established itself as the first company capable of offering VHF voice and data communications from space, a decisive step towards ensuring continuous coverage in oceanic and remote areas and optimising the future of air traffic management. 

During a functional test carried out as part of the European ECHOES project over the Atlantic Ocean, an Air Europa aircraft established a data link with the Gran Canaria control centre, performing the first data communication (datalink) between the aircraft and the air traffic control system, following standard procedures. This success demonstrates in a practical way how satellite data communications can optimise daily air traffic operations by providing coverage in oceanic areas where conventional VHF radio systems do not have sufficient range. In addition to Air Europa, airlines such as Iberia, Tap Air Portugal, Plus Ultra and Vueling, among others, are also participating in the functional voice and data tests. 

Startical's satellite data communications significantly increase air traffic efficiency through the use of predefined messages, reducing the workload of controllers and increasing aviation safety by providing greater clarity and efficiency in exchanges. This translates into safer and more agile operations, as well as opening the door to new services based on digital data exchange. It also allows airlines to send and receive operational messages during flight, a more efficient and economical solution compared to other conventional means of communication. For air navigation service providers, this solution provides global coverage, eliminating the costs of deploying and maintaining ground infrastructure. 

Currently, not all transoceanic flights and flights in remote areas without VHF coverage have real-time voice and data communications. This limitation forces increased separation between aircraft and reduces airspace capacity. With the global coverage offered by Startical, these limitations will disappear: aircraft will be able to operate over oceans and isolated regions with the same level of efficiency as in continental airspace. This will enable greater safety, immediate responses in emergencies, optimised traffic management and the possibility of designing more direct and sustainable routes. 

‘With voice and now also VHF data transmission from space, Startical is ushering in a new era in global air traffic management, offering coverage where communication is currently limited,’ said Juan Enrique González Laguna, CEO of Startical. 

In June 2025, Startical successfully launched its second demonstration satellite, IOD-2, with which it will continue functional testing in the South Atlantic corridor, in collaboration with air navigation service providers ENAIRE, NAV Portugal, ASA, ASECNA and DECEA. 

Both demonstration satellites and functional tests are supported by Europe through the ECHOES project, co-financed by the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Transport), managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), with the support of SESAR Joint Undertaking. 

After the technological demonstration, these tests will serve to define future international standards for satellite air communications. They also form the basis of Startical's future constellation, which will have more than 200 satellites in low orbit to provide global coverage.