Startical chooses NanoAvionics and GomSpace satellites for proof of concept of its constellation
Startical, a company created by ENAIRE and Indra, will use a satellite from GomSpace and another from Kongsberg NanoAvionics to test the communications and surveillance systems that will carry the future constellation of more than 270 satellites with which it will provide air traffic services from space.
The company has chosen GomSpace's 20kg microsatellite and NanoAvionics' approximately 110kg microsatellite for a series of tests to evaluate the performance of its VHF radio communications and ADS-B surveillance systems.
The first satellite to go into operation will be GomSpace's satellite, which Startical will launch in the first quarter of 2025. NanoAvionics, for its part, will provide its flight bus or platform, integrate the systems supplied by Indra and launch its satellite in the middle of next year, carrying out the first operations and management of the mission to enable Startical to then take control of the air traffic systems.
This mission is being carried out after the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) approved the use of the aeronautical communications band from space on 15 December 2023, a historic decision that has given a definitive boost to this project.
J. Enrique González Laguna, CEO of Startical, said: "We want to become the leading global provider of air traffic management technology in the space segment and a market leader in satellite surveillance and voice and data communications services. Our constellation will be based on highly innovative and differentiated technology solutions, incorporating novel inter-satellite links and the use of artificial intelligence to facilitate constellation control."
"The satellite technology and expertise of NanoAvionics and GomSpace will help us to test our new technology, which in turn will open up new markets and services. These two providers understand our needs and have the capability to complete this task."
GomSpace CEO Carsten Drachmann, said: "I am very pleased that Startical has chosen GomSpace as the key satellite and payload technology provider for its state-of-the-art satellite constellation that will improve the efficiency and safety of global air traffic. The journey that our companies began several years ago is now nearing completion and I am delighted to be able to facilitate J. Enrique Gonzalez and his team in bringing their vision and ambition to fruition".
Žilvinas Kvedaravičius, CEO of NanoAvionics, said: "It is a great opportunity for us at NanoAvionics to become Startical's partner. We are bringing our leadership and expertise in small satellite technology, which perfectly complements Startical's advanced vision for air traffic management. We are committed to this mission and want to demonstrate the capabilities and continued reliability of our small platform and customer-focused mission services."
"To take New Space initiatives, such as Startical, to their next phase of development, we are striving to accelerate the deployment and lifetime of our systems in space. Bringing performance standards to industry demands rigorous quality and procedural assurance to which we are committed."