Photo: Startical
Startical, a collaboration between ENAIRE and Indra, has launched its first satellite, IOD-1 (In-Orbit Demonstrator-1), as part of the Transporter-13 rideshare mission with SpaceX. The satellite was integrated and deployed by Exolaunch, while Danish firm GomSpace handled its manufacturing. Indra,...
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Startical, a collaboration between ENAIRE and Indra, has launched its first satellite, IOD-1 (In-Orbit Demonstrator-1), as part of the Transporter-13 rideshare mission with SpaceX. The satellite was integrated and deployed by Exolaunch, while Danish firm GomSpace handled its manufacturing. Indra, with support from ENAIRE, was responsible for specification and validation. The launch occurred at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
IOD-1 is equipped with a VHF antenna and an ADS-B surveillance system. Its primary objective is to demonstrate real-time communication between air traffic controllers and aircraft via satellite signals. This initiative falls under the ECHOES project, co-funded by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), with support from the SESAR Joint Undertaking. The satellite will assess the feasibility of enhancing air traffic management (ATM) services and reducing environmental impact through satellite-based solutions.
The CubeSat format of IOD-1, known for its standardised miniaturised design, low cost, and high efficiency, will be tested for compliance with existing aeronautical communication standards. Currently, transoceanic flights and remote areas lack real-time voice communication coverage, leading to large separation distances between aircraft for safety reasons. Startical’s satellite aims to provide continuous monitoring of aircraft positions and enable real-time, high-quality voice and data communication between pilots and controllers, even in areas with limited coverage. This approach is expected to improve air traffic management efficiency, particularly in emergencies, while reducing fuel consumption through optimal route selection.
“We are proud to become a space-based company with the launch of IOD-1, a demonstrator that paves the way for the Startical constellation. With over 200 satellites in low Earth orbit, this constellation will provide global coverage, transforming air traffic management,” said Juan Enrique González Laguna, General Manager of Startical.
Carsten Drachmann, CEO of GomSpace, states: "We appreciate Startical's trust in our 16U CubeSat for this mission, which will have a positive impact on the efficiency and sustainability of air traffic management. We look forward to seeing the performance of IOD-1 in orbit."
In February 2025, Startical launched its second satellite, IOD-2, which underwent testing at Spain’s National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) in Madrid. Like IOD-1, it is part of the ECHOES project. Following the deployment of both demonstrators, Startical will conduct proof-of-concept tests in the South Atlantic corridor, covering airspaces over the Canary Islands, Azores-Santa Maria, Dakar Oceanic, Cape Verde, and the Atlantic region of Brazil. These tests will involve air navigation service providers, including ENAIRE, NAV Portugal, ASA, ASECNA, and DECEA, demonstrating international collaboration in advancing Startical’s vision.
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