ATC
SpaceX Launch Begins Era of Space-Based ADS-B Tracking
SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the first 10 Iridium Next satellites with ADS-B payloads.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base with the first Iridium Next satellites. (Photo: SpaceX)
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base with the first Iridium Next satellites. (Photo: SpaceX)

The era of global aircraft tracking got a start January 14 with the successful SpaceX launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying new Iridium satellites. Those spacecraft host automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) receiver payloads the Aireon joint venture will use to track aircraft over oceanic and polar regions where regular surveillance is not now available.