SATCOM for ATM: Space Segment Description and technology roadmap for FOC safety-critical satellites

Steady growth in aeronautical traffic, improved safety objectives and desired long-term environmental benefits are leading factors driving the modernization of Air Traffic Man-agement (ATM). Satellite communications are regarded as a key complementary component to meet the current and future aviation data-link communication needs. The completed and planned undertakings associated to the involvement of Thales Alenia Space in Italy for definition of the Full Operational Capa-bility (FOC) satellite system within the ESA Iris Programme are reported in the paper to contextualize project activities within a unified vision for complementary cost-effective and flexible GEO satellites as enablers of reliable service provision. Specific emphasis is given to technological developments for its payload and digital processor.