Skykraft

Skykraft is a Canberra-based Australian satellite company founded in 2017 that is developing a dedicated small satellite constellation to provide global air traffic management (ATM) services — specifically ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) aircraft tracking and VHF data link communications coverage for the 70% of the Earth's surface (oceans, polar regions, remote continental interiors) where conventional ground-based radar and VHF radio have no coverage.

The aviation ADS-B satellite tracking market addresses a genuine safety and regulatory gap. ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) has mandated global aircraft tracking with position updates no more than 15 minutes apart, following the MH370 disappearance in 2014 demonstrated that aircraft can vanish for hours over oceans. ADS-B signals broadcast by aircraft transponders can be received by low-orbit satellites, enabling global position tracking. Skykraft targets not just surveillance but also two-way VHF digital link communications for oceanic clearances and weather data exchange — the controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) service that currently requires awkward HF radio in remote airspace.

Skykraft's satellite constellation plan calls for approximately 210 small satellites covering all latitudes with sufficient density for continuous aircraft contact, enabling aviation-grade reliability for air traffic control rather than just periodic tracking. The company's satellites carry both ADS-B receiver payloads and VHF data link transceivers optimized for aviation regulatory frequency bands and message formats.

Australia's geography makes Skykraft's leadership natural: Airservices Australia — which manages Australian airspace including some of the world's most remote oceanic FIRs (Flight Information Regions) over the Southern Ocean and Indian Ocean — has been a partner and early customer. Skykraft has conducted demonstration flights with Airservices Australia validating on-orbit performance of its first satellites. The company competes with Aireon (joint venture of Iridium and air navigation service providers) and Spire Aviation in the space-based ADS-B surveillance market.