Nasa engineers have developed a new space-based tracking system that can help track flights worldwide and avert the risk of aircraft disappearing mid-flight.

The system includes a reconfigurable, higher-bandwidth radio, designed and developed by Nasa and Harris Corporation.

“Within seconds, you can keep track of all the aircraft in the world."

The agency’s current radio communications network allows people to receive a wide range of data, but in order to send and receive larger quantities of data, reprogrammable higher-frequency radios will be required.

Nasa Glenn Research Centre advanced communications programme manager Thomas Kacpura said: “A reconfigurable radio lets engineers change how the radio works throughout the life of any space mission.

“It can also be upgraded to work better with future missions or to enhance performance, just by adding new software.”

The reconfigurable radio, developed jointly by Nasa and Harris, has already gone through an extensive testing phase both on the ground and in space.

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Both radio hardware and software can be fully reconfigurable and customised according to the client's requirements.

Harris systems engineer Jeff Anderson said: “Within seconds, you can keep track of all the aircraft in the world.

“It tremendously improves public safety and potentially saves a lot of fuel costs, because you no longer have to remain in the particular airline traffic lanes.”  

The reconfigurable radio systems are planned to be launched into space aboard a 66-satellite constellation owned by Iridium Communications.

The space-based radio system is expected to be operational by next year.

Image: In this artist’s rendering, the radio is mounted on the satellite under a white cover. Photo: courtesy of Iridium Communications.