Startical, a company created by ENAIRE and Indra, takes an important step in aerospace innovation with the presentation of its IOD-2 (In-Orbit Demonstrator-2) satellite, the company’s second to date. The satellite is located at the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) facilities, where electromagnetic compatibility, vibration, and functional tests are being conducted prior to its launch, scheduled for mid-2025, all aimed at ensuring the satellite’s operability in orbit.
The satellite reflects Spain’s commitment to innovation in the aerospace sector and represents a major step forward in improving global air traffic management
INTA has the only facilities in Spain, and one of the few worldwide, capable of conducting complete satellite tests like the IOD-2 in clean room conditions. “This service is essential for the Spanish business fabric, especially for companies developing satellites, as they are required to carry out this type of test, and being able to perform them within the national territory is of utmost importance,” says Daniel Hernández Gómez, director of the Equipment and Systems Testing Department at the institute.
With a large 4-meter VHF antenna and other systems for aircraft position monitoring (ADS-B), the IOD-2 will demonstrate the viability of a space solution that optimizes air traffic management by improving communications between air traffic controllers and pilots, especially in remote and oceanic areas.
Currently, when an aircraft crosses oceanic areas, it may enter zones without real-time voice communication coverage between pilots and controllers. This requires planes to maintain high levels of separation to ensure safety, which reduces the efficiency of airspace use and limits the capacity to handle a large volume of traffic.
The global coverage proposed by Startical allows for much more efficient and safe air traffic management, particularly in contingency situations, such as route changes due to storms or medical emergencies on board. Additionally, it contributes to sustainable aviation, as it allows aircraft to choose optimal routes and thus reduce fuel consumption.
Startical’s initiative is pioneering worldwide and places Spain at the forefront of the aerospace sector, marking a before and after in air traffic management by providing services to areas currently without coverage, which, among other things, contributes to providing new growth opportunities for developing countries
Juan Enrique González Laguna, General Director of Startical.
All the engineering behind the mission systems, as well as the satellite payload, have been developed by Indra, with the support of ENAIRE. The satellite platform, on the other hand, has been manufactured by Kongsberg NanoAvionics. Atle Gjerløw Wøllo, CEO of the Lithuanian company, states, ” We are proud to have partnered with Startical on this groundbreaking project. Together, we’ve successfully delivered a cutting-edge communication solution on an accelerated timeline. We appreciate the trust and opportunity to highlight the effectiveness of our microsatellite in developing safety-critical communication services and look forward to IOD.2 performing in orbit”.
Both the IOD-2 and its predecessor, the IOD-1, manufactured by the Danish company GomSpace, are part of the ECHOES SESAR Digital Sky Demonstrator project, co-financed by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), with the support from the SESAR Joint Undertaking.
Through ECHOES, Startical will conduct proof-of-concept tests in oceanic airspaces on both sides of the Atlantic, such as the Canary Islands, Azores-Santa Maria, Dakar Oceanic, Cape Verde, and the Brazilian Atlantic. For this, it will have the participation of air navigation service providers such as ENAIRE, NAV Portugal, ASA, ASECNA, and DECEA, highlighting international collaboration and interest in the initiative. These demonstrators pave the way for the Startical Constellation, which will provide operational surveillance and communication coverage globally.
