Amy Wilder is a private pilot with more than two decades of experience as a writer and editor in a career spanning journalism, marketing, and communications. 
She has worked in aviation journalism since 2023, combining a lifelong passion for flight and a love of the aviation community with a penchant for storytelling. As a licensed pilot, she brings firsthand insight to the stories she covers, lending an authentic, on-the-ground perspective to industry coverage.
She holds a Master of Arts in Eastern Classics and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, both from St. John&#039;s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Culture.

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Amy Wilder

Global satellite services provider Iridium Communications today completed its acquisition of space-based ADS-B provider Aireon. The purchase adds the only space-based ADS-B air traffic surveillance system to Iridium’s satellite communications and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) network.
Aireon will continue operating as a wholly owned Iridium subsidiary. Don Thoma remains Aireon CEO and will report to Iridium CEO Matt Desch.
“What began as a bold vision more than a decade ago has become a foundational capability for global air traffic management, delivering real-time surveillance and operational intelligence on a truly global scale,” Desch said. “Together, we will continue investing in the technologies and innovations that we believe will make aviation safer, more efficient, and more resilient for decades to come.”
The acquisition combines Aireon’s space-based surveillance and aviation intelligence services with Iridium’s satellite communications network and PNT capabilities. Iridium said the combined platform is intended to deliver real-time visibility and operational data to aviation stakeholders globally.
This news comes on the heels of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2026-06-29/rocket-lab-acquire-iridium-8-billion-transaction">last month’s announcement</a> that Rocket Lab has signed an agreement to acquire Iridium Communications, with the deal expected to close by mid-2027.

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Iridium Communications Completes Acquisition of Aireon Space ADS-B Network

Aireon will continue as a wholly owned subsidiary

Iridium Communications closed its acquisition of Aireon on July 6, adding space-based ADS-B surveillance to its satellite communications network. 

Iridium Completes Acquisition of Aireon

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In this article

Aireon

Iridium

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