Satellite operator Iridium will team with a major US airline later this year to work towards certification of trans-oceanic navigation technology that would operate using the company’s satellite network.
Currently only London-based operator Inmarsat is certificated to provide this through its satellite network. Iridium’s constellation consists of 66 low-Earth orbiting cross-linked satellites and 12 in-orbit spares.
“We are trying to achieve safety certification. The project to gain certification was initiated late last year,” says Don Thoma, Iridum’s executive vice-president data services.
Certification is expected to take a further two and a half years to obtain. This is because of the need for several organisations, such as Eurocontrol and the US Federal Aviation Administration, to be involved.
Source: Flight International
