Singapore to Explore the Application and Development of Space Based VHF Communications
July 13, 2017
GomSpace A/S together with The Civil
Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singapore
Technologies Electronics Limited (ST Electronics)
today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to
explore the application and deployment of
space-based Very High Frequency (VHF) communications
for air traffic management (ATM) in and around the
Singapore Flight Information Region (FIR). The
MOU was signed by Mr Kevin Shum, Director-General of
CAAS, Mr Tang Kum Chuen, President of Satellite
Systems Business, ST Electronics, and Mr Niels Buus,
CEO of GomSpace, on the third day of the World Civil
Aviation Chief Executives Programme (WCACEF) held at
the Singapore Aviation Academy.
Space-based VHF communications represents the next
level of communications capability, and will
complement Singapore’s existing ground-based
equipment. It is a concept where VHF communications
equipment are mounted onto a constellation of
low-earth-orbit satellites to enable clear,
cost-effective and real-time communications between
air traffic controllers and pilots anywhere.
The technology will improve safety and enable the
safe reduction in separation between aircraft in
airspace where ground-based VHF communications is
currently not available, increasing ATM capacity and
reducing delays for aircraft in turn.
This partnership brings together strong
complementary capabilities. As the air
navigation services provider for the Singapore FIR,
CAAS has decades of experience managing air traffic
flows. ST Electronics has more than 45 years of
experience in the design, development and
integration of advanced electronics and
communications systems including real-time mission
critical command and control, air traffic management
and simulation systems. GomSpace is a leading
designer, integrator and manufacturer of high-end
nanosatellites for customers in the academic,
government and commercial markets.
“CAAS is committed to continually investing in
cutting edge and innovative solutions to ensure that
we can safely support the growing air traffic in the
region. With this collaboration, Singapore
will be the first country in the world to move
towards space-based VHF communications. This
technology will enable CAAS to improve traffic
throughput in the Singapore FIR, while enhancing
safety and efficiency of ATM,” said Mr Shum.
“This MOU marks a significant step in exploring the
application of space-based technology to enable
smart air traffic operations. We are delighted
to partner CAAS and GomSpace on this exciting
endeavour. We will leverage our extensive
domain knowledge and in-depth engineering
capabilities in satellite and communications system
design, as well as complex system integration
knowhow to research into the development of the
spaced-based VHF communications system. ST
Electronics is committed to the continued
development of innovative and smart technology to
enhance ATM and equip air traffic controllers with
state-of-the-art communication service for safer and
more efficient flight operations,” said Mr Tang.
“We are very happy to partner with ST Electronics
and CAAS to develop a new innovative high value
service based on our unique capabilities to deliver
professional nanosatellite solutions for radio
applications. The activities under this MOU is
a natural continuation of our pioneering work in
space-based ATM as we first demonstrated in 2013 and
will bring about significant new opportunities for
Air Navigation Service Providers and airlines to
increase safety and ATM capacity while reducing
operations costs,” said Mr Buus.
