Thales, Spire Global and ESSP to Develop a Space-Based Air Traffic Surveillance Service
Thales, Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR), and European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to launch a satellite constellation for air traffic surveillance services. This initiative aims to enhance aviation safety, sustainability, and airspace security by 2027. The constellation will feature over 100 satellites collecting ADS-B messages from aircraft and transmitting them to Earth in real-time. Thales will handle the ground air traffic management system, Spire will develop the space segment, and ESSP will manage certification and service delivery. The project targets compliance with ICAO standards and plans to introduce advanced, resilient surveillance solutions beyond ADS-B, capable of geolocating aircraft without relying on GNSS/GPS satellites. This partnership addresses key aviation challenges and aims to replace aging surveillance systems with more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective solutions.
- Thales, Spire, and ESSP have formed a strategic partnership to develop a satellite constellation, enhancing aviation safety and security.
- The project aims to launch over 100 satellites, providing real-time air traffic surveillance by 2027.
- Spire Global (SPIR) will develop the space segment, leveraging its experience with over 175 satellites launched.
- Thales will manage the ground air traffic management system, ensuring integration with existing infrastructure.
- ESSP will oversee certification, ensuring compliance with ICAO standards, enhancing credibility.
- The initiative targets significant advancements in air traffic management, potentially reducing costs and increasing efficiency for ANSPs.
- Planned certification and commercialization of the service align with industry needs for scalable and economically viable solutions.
- The project aims at resilient surveillance solutions capable of geolocating aircraft without GNSS/GPS, addressing vulnerabilities.
- No specific revenue projections or financial gains were disclosed in the press release, which may leave investors uncertain about financial impacts.
- The timeline to 2027 for full operation might be seen as long-term, potentially delaying expected returns for investors.
- Development and launching of over 100 satellites involve high initial costs and potential financial risks.
- Dependence on successful certification and compliance with ICAO standards introduces regulatory risks.
- Potential vulnerability to technological advancements and competition within the satellite-based surveillance market.
Insights
In the aerospace and defense sectors, successful development of space-based surveillance systems is a pivotal advancement. The deployment of a 100+ satellite constellation marks a significant leap towards continuous, real-time air traffic management, offering a important alternative to aging terrestrial systems. This constellational setup is particularly notable for its potential to enhance aviation safety—a critical concern for air navigation service providers (ANSPs).
One key advantage is the system's ability to transmit real-time Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) messages, which could drastically improve airspace monitoring and reduce risks associated with current limitations in surveillance coverage. The concept of integrating newer satellite technology every five years ensures that the system stays technologically current, addressing evolving operational needs and maintaining compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
From a technical perspective, Spire Global's role in developing the space segment—including satellite design and payloads—stands out due to their extensive experience with over 175 satellites already in orbit. This partnership leverages the combined strengths of Thales' terrestrial surveillance experience and ESSP's expertise in space-based communication and navigation, promising a robust, scalable solution for the aviation industry.
The collaboration between Thales, Spire Global and ESSP presents a financially significant development. Notably, the initiative is poised to modernize the air traffic management industry, creating a strong value proposition for stakeholders. For investors, the focus should be on the long-term revenue potential and operational efficiencies that can be realized through this new satellite-based model.
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) and Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) both stand to benefit. For Thales, expanding its air traffic control solutions into the space domain could open up new revenue streams, enhancing its market position. Meanwhile, Spire Global’s expertise in ADS-B payloads and satellite systems positions it to capitalize on its growing New Space technology capabilities, possibly driving up its stock value.
Investors should watch for key milestones, such as certification and commercialization, expected by 2027. These are critical junctures that could signal the project's success and, consequently, lead to financial gains. The strategic partnership taps into a demand for more cost-efficient, scalable and resilient air traffic solutions, potentially translating into lucrative contracts and long-term growth.
The aviation industry is undergoing a transformative period, with increased emphasis on safety, security and sustainability. The partnership between Thales, Spire and ESSP to develop a space-based air traffic surveillance service addresses these pressing challenges head-on. It introduces a new paradigm in air traffic management by offering a resilient alternative to GNSS/GPS-based systems, which are susceptible to interference and outages.
This market shift is likely driven by the growing demand for more efficient air traffic management systems capable of handling increased air traffic in a cost-effective manner. The initiative’s focus on using a satellite constellation to provide real-time data highlights a strategic move towards ensuring uninterrupted surveillance, a critical requirement for future air traffic management.
Furthermore, the project’s promise to enhance sustainability aligns with the broader industry trend towards greener aviation solutions. The innovative approach of integrating space-based systems for air traffic control not only caters to existing safety and operational needs but also paves the way for sustainable and scalable aviation management practices in the future.
- Thales, Spire and ESSP are joining forces to develop a satellite constellation and offer new space-based surveillance services for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).
- The 100+ satellite constellation will provide real-time air traffic surveillance, enhancing aviation safety, sustainability and airspace security.
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Spire will develop the space segment, including system design, building the satellites and payloads, ground control and data collection. Thales will provision the ground air traffic management system and the service supervision infrastructure. ESSP will manage the certification and the delivery of the service for air traffic surveillance purposes and perform H24 operation and supervision, ensuring the compliance with real-time, safety-critical requirements imposed to ATC. The partners will also rely on the Space Alliance* formed by Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, to identify and implement possible synergies bringing further added value in terms of key-enabling technologies, secured network optimization and sustainable operations and services.
The partners plan to certify, commercialize and start the operation of the service by 2027.
“The birth of a satellite constellation fully dedicated to serving the demanding needs of air traffic management, air domain awareness and national security is a groundbreaking development for the aviation industry,” said Philip Plantholt, general manager of Aviation at Spire. “Through our strategic partnership with Thales and ESSP, we are poised to offer the first real alternative to the aging systems that exist today and embark on a journey towards even more advanced space-based solutions for aviation in the years to come.”
“This innovative satellite-based surveillance service will accelerate the implementation of our new ‘Air Traffic Control as a service’ offering,” said Christian Rivierre, vice president, Airspace Mobility Solutions, Thales. “It will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the skies, serving as a vital facilitator for trajectory-based operations and laying the foundation for a safer, more environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient ATM system. Additionally, this new solution will also draw on the competences of Thales Alenia Space satellite-based surveillance systems.”
Charlotte Neyret, chief executive officer of ESSP, said: “Taking the best of three worlds: Space Systems, ATC Systems and ATC Service Provision, is a game-changer for the aviation industry, providing the most valuable solution based on advanced new technologies. Our service is developed driven by users’ needs and expectations to face new service-levels, the challenge of ATC digitization and to support greener and more sustainable air travel. We will provide the full range of ESSP's Space-based CNS expertise to implement and to operate mission-critical services to ensure the highest quality of service to all aviation stakeholders.”
The aviation industry faces critical challenges, with safety, security and achieving climate impact neutrality emerging as top priorities. These challenges have placed significant strain on ATM, particularly due to the absence of a surveillance solution that is high performing, scalable, and economically viable.
The initiative will rely on Thales's global stature in ATM, built upon more than 50 years of terrestrial surveillance experience and the longstanding space technological background of Thales Alenia Space as a world space leader in telecommunications, earth observation, exploration and navigation. With over 175 satellites launched into orbit and nearly a decade of expertise in developing and operating ADS-B payloads, Spire holds a unique position within the New Space technology landscape. The approach is bolstered by ESSP's credentials as a certified space-based Navigation and Communication service provider, the consortium possesses the ideal resources to tackle these ambitious objectives
The new end-to-end system will meet the rigorous requirements, including latency, coverage and revisit standards, set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and aviation authorities to be certified for air traffic surveillance.
The constellation's satellites are designed to be replenished every five years, ensuring the system offers the latest and most advanced technology. This evolutionary roadmap approach ensures that end users' operational needs are consistently met with the latest advancements.
In parallel to building the initial constellation, the companies will design and demonstrate a system that goes beyond ADS-B to geolocate the position of aircraft in real time, without relying on GNSS/GPS satellites. This novel system will provide a resilient solution for tracking aircraft that cannot be impacted by vulnerabilities with GNSS/GPS such as interference or outages. The expected follow-on of a successful demonstration will be the commercialization of a second generation, highly resilient service — opening the door to holistic infrastructure optimization strategies for ANSPs by the end of the coming decade.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Cybersecurity & Digital identity. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive. The Group invests close to
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1 Excluding Transport business, which is being divested
About Spire Global, Inc.
Spire (NYSE: SPIR) is a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, offering unique datasets and powerful insights about Earth so that organizations can make decisions with confidence in a rapidly changing world. Spire builds, owns, and operates a fully deployed satellite constellation that observes the Earth in real time using radio frequency technology. The data acquired by Spire’s satellites provides global weather intelligence, ship and plane movements, and spoofing and jamming detection to better predict how their patterns impact economies, global security, business operations and the environment. Spire also offers Space as a Service solutions that empower customers to leverage its established infrastructure to put their business in space. Spire has nine offices across the
About ESSP
ESSP SAS (European Satellite Services Provider) is a company owned by 7 keys European ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Providers). ESSP’s core business is the provision of space-based Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) services. As multi-service CNS provider, we operate complex space-based systems and deliver critical services under strict regulation conditions. ESSP, is the sole private company certified by EASA in Navigation and Communication satellite-based service provision. Our mission is to boost the potential of space-based technologies in critical operations, offering safe and secure services for greener and more connected worlds. We enable satellite technologies to power today's transport solutions around the world, providing essential 24/7 services to air navigation service providers and airspace users. ESSP offers specific engineering expertise including performance and network management of the latest space-based technologies such as but not limited to:
- GNSS for Navigation
- Datalink for Communications
- ADS-B technology in Surveillance
Learn more at https://www.essp-sas.eu/, the ESSP News or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.
* About the Space Alliance
Founded in 2005, the Space Alliance is a strategic partnership between two major industrial groups, Leonardo and Thales. With more than 10 thousand employees in 12 countries, the Space Alliance combines the capabilities of two joint ventures, Telespazio (Leonardo
Telespazio website: https://www.telespazio.com/en/home
Thales Alenia Space website: https://www.thalesaleniaspace.com/en
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240613872903/en/
For media:
Kristina Spychalski
Head of Communications
Comms@spire.com
For investors:
Benjamin Hackman
Head of Investor Relations
Benjamin.Hackman@spire.com
Source: Spire Global, Inc.
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