March 29, 2024

Making Air Travel Greener, With Some Help From Space

A contract signed today between satellite company Inmarsat and the European Satellite Services Provider, which represents air traffic controllers from seven European nations, will allow final tests of the space-based system to be carried out and evaluated. It is expected to be presented throughout Europe by 2023.
ESA has actually dealt with Inmarsat to establish a space-enabled digital option to conventional air traffic control that makes it possible for pilots to take more effective trajectories, conserving fuel and cutting carbon emissions.

Iris will provide a safe and secure and safe text-based data link in between pilots and air traffic control (ATC) networks using satellite innovation. The program is developed under a public-private partnership between ESA and Inmarsat, and will help ease pressure on the air travel sectors overloaded radio frequency communication channels. It will so as part of the European Commissions Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) masterplan to modernize Europes air traffic management.Credit: ESA
Charlotte Neyret, Chief Executive Officer of the European Satellite Services Provider, said: “The Iris program is a game-changer for the aviation market, supplying the most sophisticated new technology to match datalink communications and satisfy the obstacle of digital, greener and sustainable air travel.

The system– called Iris– utilizes satellites to exchange information with aircraft, supplementing the terrestrial interactions system with digital position reports, clearances, and runway conditions, sent through telecommunications satellites between cockpits and air traffic control service centers.
Flight strategies can be continually updated during the flight to keep an optimal trajectory towards the location, minimizing the fuel burned and the carbon dioxide given off.
Iris was first evaluated on aircrafts flying over Europe in 2018 and debuted in the US on a brand-new Boeing 737-9 operated by Alaska Airlines previously this year.
Agents of Inmarsat, ESSP and ESA. Credit: Inmarsat
Todays contract is in between Inmarsat and the European Satellite Services Provider, a company established by seven air navigation service providers from France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK to operate and provide services for a satellite-based navigation system managed by the European Commission called the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service.
It aims to manage final screening and accreditation– that includes accreditation from the European Aviation Safety Agency ahead of commercial rollout across Europe. The arrangement was signed today at the World Air Traffic Management Congress in Madrid.
Iris will execute its enhancements under the European Commissions single European sky air traffic management research study program, which promises to improve effectiveness, capability, and efficiency of air traffic management worldwide.
John Broughton, Senior Vice President of Aircraft Operations and Safety Services at Inmarsat, stated: “There is monumental assistance within the air travel market for modernizing air traffic management. The advantages for passengers and airline companies are huge, from faster and more effective flight paths with less delays, to enhancements in environment efficiencies, consisting of less fuel use and co2 emissions.”
Charlotte Neyret, Chief Executive Officer of the European Satellite Services Provider, said: “The Iris program is a game-changer for the aviation market, supplying the most innovative new innovation to match datalink interactions and fulfill the challenge of digital, greener and sustainable air travel. The ESSP has been working on this important program with Inmarsat and ESA for a number of years and we are happy to now expand our involvement. We will offer the full variety of ESSPs proficiency in carrying out and operating mission-critical services to ensure that Iris will use the highest quality of service to all air travel stakeholders.”
Elodie Viau, Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications at ESA, said: “ESA is happy to work with Inmarsat and the European Satellite Services Provider to digitalize air space and decrease the environmental effect of flying, while all at once improving the effectiveness of the air travel market. The digitalization of our skies will lead to a greener environment, a better passenger experience, and a more competitive European economy.”

Iris will offer a secure and safe text-based information link in between pilots and air traffic control (ATC) networks using satellite innovation. The program is established under a public-private collaboration in between ESA and Inmarsat, and will assist ease pressure on the aviation sectors congested radio frequency communication channels. It will so as part of the European Commissions Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) masterplan to improve Europes air traffic management.Credit: ESA
When traveling on flights that are routed using satellites, Air passengers will quickly be able to cut their carbon footprint.