CEF Transport: Startical launched its second satellite advancing space-based air traffic management - European Commission
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European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency
  • News article
  • 24 June 2025
  • European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency
  • 1 min read

CEF Transport: Startical launched its second satellite advancing space-based air traffic management

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Moment of the rocket launch with Startical's second satellite

Startical, the company created by ENAIRE and Indra, has successfully launched its second satellite, IOD-2, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission reinforces Spain’s leadership in the race to transform global air traffic management (ATM) using space-based technology. 

The launch of IOD-2 follows the successful deployment of IOD-1 in March 2025, which already made history by enabling the first-ever VHF voice communications between aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers via satellite, fully compliant with international aviation standards. These milestones accelerate the development of Startical’s future constellation of over 200 low Earth orbit satellites, designed to provide real-time VHF voice and data communications and aircraft surveillance, particularly in regions currently without coverage, such as oceans and remote areas. 

Like its predecessor, IOD-2 is part of ECHOES, a project co-funded by CEF Transport and supported by the SESAR Joint Undertaking. The project aims to demonstrate how satellite technology can enhance ATM services and reduce environmental impact. 

Both satellites will continue undergoing tests over the South Atlantic, covering airspace managed by the Canary Islands, Azores, Cote d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, and Brazil. Beyond technological demonstration, these real-world tests will help define future international standards for satellite-based air traffic communications. 

Read the full press release by Startical: https://www.enaire.es/en_GB/2025_06_24/ndp_gb_startical_successfully_launched_second_satellite_iod2

Watch the video of the launch: https://youtu.be/h-9OZwJnDIs

About ECHOES 

The overall objective of ECHOES is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of a space-based solution for VHF communications (voice and datalink) for the aviation sector, which in combination with space-based ADS-B, would greatly contribute to ATM in terms of safety, capacity, cost-efficiency and environmental impact, focused mainly in oceanic areas. To provide the required services and test this technology, ECHOES was set to develop, manufacture and launch two satellites in a Low Earth Orbit, IOD-1 and IOD-2. These satellites will serve as the platform to test the technologies and services aimed at improving the Air Navigation Services. The project is led by Startical with participation of ENAIRE, Indra, Nav Portugal, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) and Mitiga Solutions. For additional information on the ECHOES project, please visit www.sesarju.eu/projects/ECHOES.

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