VATM - Aireon workshop regarding Space - Based ADS-B solutions

Ha Noi, August 11, 2026, VATM and Aireon held a workshop regarding Space - Based ADS-B solutions. The workshop was chaired by VATM Deputy General Director - Mr. Nguyen Manh Kien. Mr. Joe Holewa, Sales Manager – Asia Pacific, and Mr. Diego Albert, Director - Asia presented on behalf of Aireon.

The workshop provided an opportunity for Aireon to introduce and share with VATM updated information on Space-based ADS-B technology, the potential application of satellite surveillance data in air navigation service provision, and to discuss trends in the development of modern aviation surveillance technologies worldwide.

ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) is a surveillance technology that allows aircraft to automatically broadcast information about their identification, location, altitude, and speed. With space-based ADS-B, the aircraft's ADS-B signal is received by specialized equipment located on satellites, significantly expanding the surveillance coverage compared to ground-based ADS-B signal reception systems.

According to Aireon, the space-based ADS-B system is deployed on the Iridium NEXT constellation, which consists of 66 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites linked together via an inter-satellite network. These satellites are equipped with specialized ADS-B receivers, allowing them to receive signals from aircraft and transmit data to ground systems for processing and distribution to customers, including air navigation service providers (ANSPs).

Aireon's Space-based ADS-B system officially went into operation in 2019, meeting stringent requirements for real-time surveillance data to support air traffic control and aircraft separation. Currently, approximately 50% of the world's airspace uses Aireon Space-based ADS-B data to support surveillance of air traffic.

Aireon is certificated by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as an Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP) to provide ATM/ANS surveillance services for aircraft separation in ocean airspace. With this certification, Aireon becomes the first EASA-certified “surveillance-as-a-service” ANSP. Aireon’s products deploying space-based ADS-B include Global ATS Surveillance, AireonSTREAM, AireonFLOW, AireonINSIGHTS, and AireonVECTOR.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for Aireon and VATM to review some of their recent collaborative activities, such as the testing of ATS data led by ATTECH – a subsidiary of VATM; ATFM collaboration through the “Better Skies Asia” project using AireonFLOW products in collaboration with Thales; and a demonstration of METRON's ATFM solution, which includes the use of AireonFLOW products.

Furthermore, direct access and exchange with Aireon during the workshop help VATM stay updated on the latest advancements in satellite-based aviation surveillance, while also providing a basis for analysing the potential of utilizing new surveillance data sources in the modernization of its air traffic control facilities. In particular, with its ability to provide continuous surveillance data in areas where ground-based monitoring systems are limited, space-based ADS-B can bring significant value to airspace over the oceanic and remote areas. This is a significant area for Viet Nam in the context of the increasing need to enhance its capability of surveillance, management, and optimization of airspace utilization.

The workshop was also a chance for VATM and Aireon to continue exchanging ideas directly on technological solutions, sharing best practices globally, and exploring cooperation possibilities for ATM system modernization of Viet Nam.

In the context of digital transformation and modernization of air traffic management at both global, regional and national scales, the combination of legacy surveillance data sources with new technologies such as Space-based ADS-B is expected to contribute to improving surveillance capabilities, enhancing situational awareness, optimizing airspace utilization, and strengthening the ability to provide safe and efficient flight operations.

Vu Uyen