Iris with IOC – ANSP contributions, Phase 2

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an international  intergovernmental organization with 22 member states and is not part of the bodies of the European Union (EU).

Proposal name: BULATSA contribution to Iris validation

Financing Agreement: No. 4000133824/21/NL/SC

Timeframe: February 2021 – November 2023

Project description and objective:

The purpose of Iris project is to develop an air-to-ground satellite communication Data Link Service (DLS) for the needs of ATM and it will help to overcome the limited capacity of the current service – VDL Mode 2. Iris is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA).

The project started in 2007 and is implemented through a public-private partnership where Inmarsat company has the leading role.

The infrastructure used for the future satellite DLS service is expected to have much bigger capacity and higher speed, to be a more cost-effective and more sustainable alternative to the current standard. The satellite based DLS service is planned to offer improved use of aircraft trajectory information, which will lead to reduction of the ATCO interventions and will facilitate conflict resolution. This technology will also require the corresponding equipment on board the aircraft.

To date, the research Phase 1 of Iris has been completed, with the participation of European industry representatives (the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Thales Alenia Space, Airbus), as well as European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), etc.

In March 2020, Phase 2 of the project was officially initiated. It includes testing the service in the Europe’s airspace. European ANSPs and specially equipped aircraft will validate the developed functionalities in a real operational environment. In this phase, Inmarsat and ESA should prepare the service for pan-European certification. The goal is, by 2028, Iris to become the primary means of communication between Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) and pilots via a satellite-based data link.

BULATSA, together with other ANSPs – DFS, DSNA, ENAIRE, LFV, LVNL, Nav Portugal, Romatsa, skyguide, is part of the Phase 2 plan, which foresees numerous activities for the development, validation and implementation of the satellite-based DLS. The work packages in which BULATSA will participate are WP 1.2 – Iris Demonstration Flights and WP 3.4 – Business, CBA, Marketing & Stakeholder Management. Leader for the work packages is NATS.

Within the framework of the project, the experts of BULATSA will participate in the preparation and conduct of validations, demonstrations and accompanying documentation in the  operational and technical domains, in cooperation with Inmarsat, Eurocontrol, European ANSPs and industry representatives, such as Airbus, Honeywell, Cobham, etc.

The activities of BULATSA on Phase 2 of Iris are part of the project: “BULATSA contribution to Iris validation”. The project was approved by ESA within the framework of ESA’s Fifth Call for Tender Procedure for Bulgaria under the Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS). “BULATSA contribution to Iris validation” is planned for implementation in the period from February 2021 to November 2023, with financing under the fund for cooperating states of ESA E/0908-10 – PECS Bulgaria, according to the Agreement between BULATSA and ESA No. 4000133824/21/NL/SC.

You can find additional information about Iris here.