What Happened
Satellite-Based Aircraft Surveillance Network Expands Safety Offerings
Iridium Communications has announced its intention to acquire Aireon, the firm behind the world’s largest satellite-based aircraft surveillance network, for $366.7 million. The planned acquisition is part of Iridium’s effort to increase its footprint in the aircraft safety market, one of its four growth pillars. Aireon has been operating its Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast payload on Iridium satellites since 2019, tracking an average of 190,000 flights per day. The acquisition was reported by Payload Space.