Abstract The International Space University—Balloon Air traffic control Technology Experiment (I-BATE1 I-BATE: International Space University—Balloon Air traffic control Technology Experiment.) has flown on board two stratospheric balloons and has tracked nearby aircraft by receiving their Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transmissions. Air traffic worldwide is facing increasing congestion. It is predicted that daily European flight volumes will more than double by 2030 compared to 2009 volumes. ADS-B is an air traffic management system being used to mitigate air traffic congestion. Each aircraft is equipped with both a GPS receiver and an ADS-B transponder. The transponder transmits an equipped aircraft's unique identifier, position, heading, and velocity once per second. The ADS-B transmissions can then be received by ground stations for use in traditional air traffic management. Airspace not monitored by these ground stations or other traditional means remains uncontrolled and poorly monitored. A constellation of space-based ADS-B receivers could close these gaps and provide global air traffic monitoring. By flying an ADS-B receiver on a stratospheric balloon, I-BATE has served as a precursor to a constellation of ADS-B-equipped Earth-orbiting satellites. From the ∼30km balloon altitude, I-BATE tracked aircraft ranging up to 850km. The experiment has served as a proof of concept for space-based air traffic management and supports a technology readiness level 6 of space-based ADS-B reception.
Highlights ► Increasing air traffic calls for global air traffic monitoring (ATM). ► Flying proven technology (ADS-B) on satellite constellation can provide global ATM. ► I-BATE tested space-based ADS-B reception from stratospheric balloon (∼30km altitude). ► I-BATE received ADS-B messages from near-space environment. ► Space-based ADS-B reception a viable solution for global ATM, needs further research.
Balloon-borne air traffic management (ATM) as a precursor to space-based ATM
Acta Astronautica ; 70 ; 112-121
2011-06-24
10 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Balloon-borne air traffic management (ATM) as a precursor to space-based ATM
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