Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is harnessing advanced space-based surveillance data from Aireon as part of an innovative initiative to enhance airspace safety and risk assessment across Australia.
The Australian Digital Airspace Characterisation (ADAC) project, led by QUT and funded under the Federal Government’s Emerging Aviation Technology Partnership (EATP) program, is developing a first-of-its-kind digital toolkit to provide quantitative collision risk analysis across most of Australia’s airspace. The project is a collaboration between QUT, Boeing Defence Australia, and FlyFreely.
Aireon’s space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, combined with other aviation and non-aviation datasets, will play a crucial role in ADAC’s data-driven approach. Unlike traditional qualitative risk assessments, ADAC integrates advanced risk estimation methods to deliver numerical collision risk values, that will enable regulators and industry stakeholders to assess, predict, and mitigate airspace risks with greater precision.
“The ADAC project represents a major step forward in airspace risk assessment, leveraging high-resolution data to support the growing demands of aviation safety and airspace modernization,” said Dr. Aaron McFadyen, Associate Professor at QUT. “Aireon’s global surveillance data enhances our ability to provide comprehensive risk insights, even in areas with limited existing surveillance coverage.”
Through this collaboration, QUT leads the way for global aviation leaders to access cutting-edge digital airspace assessment technologies. The integration of Aireon data will enable ADAC to deliver adaptable, evidence-based risk assessments that align with international regulatory frameworks such as JARUS and ICAO.
“Aireon is proud to support QUT in developing next-generation airspace risk assessment tools,” said Michele Carandente, Vice President, Air Traffic Services, at Aireon. “By utilizing space-based ADS-B data, this project will provide unprecedented insight into airspace safety, supporting regulatory advancements and industry growth.”
With air traffic increasing across Australia, the ADAC project is positioned to deliver vital intelligence for airspace management, regulatory acceleration, and modernization efforts. By providing data-driven insights, the initiative supports the safe integration of emerging aviation technologies, reinforcing Australia’s position at the forefront of global airspace innovation.
