What Startical does

Startical, S.L. is a Spanish private company established in 2021 as a public-private joint venture between ENAIRE (Spain's state-owned air navigation service provider) and Indra (a global air traffic management systems integrator), headquartered in Madrid with 14 employees. The company is developing a planned constellation of more than 200 low-Earth orbit (LEO) small satellites purpose-built for Air Traffic Management (ATM), delivering space-based VHF voice and data communications and ADS-B surveillance fully compatible with existing aircraft avionics and ground ATM systems. The architecture comprises the satellite constellation, inter-satellite links, a network of ground stations, a satellite control center, and dedicated service facilities; two in-orbit demonstrators (IOD-1, a 16U CubeSat with a 3-meter deployable VHF antenna, launched March 2025; and IOD-2, with a nearly 4-meter VHF antenna, launched June 2025) have validated the core technology, achieving the world's first real-time VHF voice and data link between a pilot and an air traffic controller via satellite.

The service is designed for two primary customer segments: Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), which gain continuous oceanic and remote VHF/ADS-B coverage without deploying ground infrastructure; and commercial airlines, which gain real-time operational messaging with their fleets and access to Airline Operations Centers globally. Go-to-market is sales-led enterprise engagement, combining direct field sales to ANSPs and airlines with distribution leverage from ENAIRE and Indra's embedded aviation relationships. Revenue is intended to flow through multi-year subscription service contracts, though pricing is not publicly disclosed and the company is currently in a demonstration/pre-operational phase rather than commercial operation.

Funding to date is dominated by non-dilutive public sources: the EU Connecting Europe Facility and SESAR Joint Undertaking co-funded the ECHOES project (2022–2025) supporting both satellite development and demonstration activities; the European Space Agency and Spanish Space Agency are backing the successor VOCALS project (2025–2026) under ESA's ARTES programme; and the Spanish Government committed €10.5 million to advance the constellation (reported November 2025). Strategically, Startical is also a regulatory shaper — it contributed to ITU and ICAO forums that produced the December 2023 ITU allocation for Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite (Route) Service within the VHF band (117.975–137 MHz), and is working toward full ICAO standardization by 2030, giving it a first-mover position in a newly opened regulatory lane for space-based aeronautical VHF.

Name

Startical

Legal name

Startical, S.L.

Website

https://startical.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Startical is a Spanish satellite venture (JV of ENAIRE and Indra) building a planned 200+ LEO satellite constellation to deliver space-based VHF voice/data communications and ADS-B surveillance for Air Traffic Management, serving ANSPs and airlines globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite-based Air Traffic Management Services

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Satellite Telecommunications (517410)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Satellite communications
• Air traffic management
• ADS-B surveillance
• VHF voice communications
• Space-based ATM

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Satellite-Based VHF Communication Services: Startical plans to provide real-time VHF voice and data communications services from space to ANSPs and airlines globally, enabling coverage in oceanic and remote areas where terrestrial VHF infrastructure cannot reach. Revenue will come from service fees charged to ANSPs (who gain global coverage without deploying ground infrastructure) and airlines (who gain operational messaging capabilities during flight). The company is currently in the demonstration/pre-operational phase with two demonstrator satellites.
2. ADS-B Surveillance Services: Continuous aircraft position monitoring and surveillance services via satellite for air traffic management, providing real-time tracking data to ANSPs and other aviation stakeholders.
3. Airline Operational Data Services: Enabling Airline Operations Centers to communicate via VHF with their fleets anywhere in the world, providing a more efficient and cost-effective solution compared to conventional communication methods for operational messaging during flight.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Startical is building a planned constellation of more than 200 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) small satellites specifically designed for Air Traffic Management (ATM), providing space-based VHF voice and data communications and ADS-B surveillance to Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airlines globally. The company is currently in the demonstration phase with two In-Orbit Demonstrator satellites (IOD-1 launched March 2025 and IOD-2 launched June 2025), and has achieved the world's first VHF voice and data communications from space fully compatible with existing avionics.

Product overview

Startical is a satellite communications and surveillance services company that operates a constellation-based system for Air Traffic Management. The company has launched two In-Orbit Demonstrator satellites (IOD-1 and IOD-2) and is building towards a planned constellation of over 200 low-Earth orbit satellites. The product portfolio consists of the satellite constellation infrastructure supporting three integrated services: Space-Based VHF Voice Communications, Space-Based VHF Data Link Communications, and ADS-B Surveillance. These services are designed to work with existing onboard avionics and ground systems, providing seamless global coverage for aviation communication and aircraft tracking over oceanic and remote areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IOD-1 (In-Orbit Demonstrator-1) Satellite Startical's first demonstration satellite, a 16U CubeSat equipped with a 3-meter deployable VHF antenna (folded to 10 cm for launch) and an ADS-B surveillance system. Successfully demonstrated the world's first VHF voice and data link from space fully compatible with existing avionics. Used as the in-orbit platform for the ECHOES project demonstration trials with ANSPs and airlines.
• IOD-2 (In-Orbit Demonstrator-2) Satellite Startical's second demonstration satellite featuring a nearly 4-meter deployable VHF antenna and ADS-B capabilities. Intensifies demonstration activities for robust, real-time aeronautical communications and surveillance services via satellite, complementing IOD-1 across more FIRs and test scenarios.
• Startical Constellation (planned) Planned constellation of more than 200 low-Earth orbit small satellites specifically designed for Air Traffic Management, providing global VHF voice and data communications coverage and ADS-B aircraft surveillance anywhere on Earth. The constellation is purpose-built for ATM, not repurposed from other applications, and renews every five years.
• Space-Based VHF Voice Communications Service Real-time VHF voice communication service between pilots and air traffic controllers transmitted via satellite, enabling continuous coverage over oceanic and remote areas where terrestrial VHF infrastructure cannot reach. Offered to ANSPs and airlines globally with full compatibility to existing onboard avionics.
• Space-Based VHF Data Link Communications Service VHF data link communication service enabling exchange of digital data between aircraft and ground systems via satellite, reducing controller workload and enhancing operational efficiency. Allows Airline Operations Centers to communicate with their fleets anywhere in the world through standard aeronautical VHF protocols.
• ADS-B Satellite Surveillance Service Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast service via satellite providing continuous monitoring of aircraft positions worldwide, strengthening situational awareness and flight predictability for ANSPs and aviation stakeholders. Operates across oceanic and remote regions where ground-based ADS-B receivers cannot reach.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced aircraft separation through continuous monitoring and real-time connectivity, enhancing airspace capacity and operational efficiency
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, key and supporting.

• European Union / Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Transport)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The ECHOES project (2022–2025), co-funded by the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Transport) and supported by SESAR Joint Undertaking, funds both satellite development (IOD-1 and IOD-2) and demonstration activities. Managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Provides essential financial and institutional backing.
• ENAIREcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021ENAIRE is Spain's state-owned national air navigation service provider and one of Startical's two co-founding parents (alongside Indra). Created in 2021 as a public-private initiative, ENAIRE provides operational and technical expertise in air traffic management. ENAIRE actively participates in demonstration exercises from its Gran Canaria ACC and provides support for technology validation.
• IndracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Indra is a global leader in air traffic management technology, having equipped more than 11,000 air traffic facilities worldwide. As Startical's co-founding parent alongside ENAIRE, Indra developed the mission systems engineering and satellite payload for IOD-1 and IOD-2, with support from ENAIRE. Indra provides technological and systems integration expertise.
• SESAR Joint UndertakingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSESAR Joint Undertaking supports the ECHOES project and Startical's demonstration activities, contributing to European ATM modernization and standardization efforts. Aligns Startical's development with the EU's Single European Sky ATM Research Programme.
• GomSpace (Denmark)majorTechnology or IntegrationDanish company GomSpace manufactured the IOD-1 satellite (a 16U CubeSat). GomSpace's CEO Carsten Drachmann stated appreciation for Startical's trust in their platform for this mission, which aims to positively impact ATM efficiency and sustainability.
• Kongsberg NanoAvionics (Lithuania)majorTechnology or IntegrationLithuanian company Kongsberg NanoAvionics manufactured the satellite platform for IOD-2. CEO Atle Gjerløw Wøllo stated pride in partnering on this groundbreaking project, successfully delivering a cutting-edge communication solution on an accelerated timeline.
• Exolaunch (Germany)majorTechnology or IntegrationGerman company Exolaunch served as launch integrator for IOD-1, responsible for the satellite's integration into the SpaceX Transporter-13 rideshare mission and its deployment into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
• SpaceXmajorTechnology or IntegrationSpaceX provided the launch vehicle (Transporter-13 and Transporter-14 missions) for IOD-1 (March 2025) and IOD-2 (June 2025) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA.
• INTA (Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Spain)majorTechnology or IntegrationINTA hosted IOD-2 for pre-launch testing including electromagnetic compatibility, vibration, and functional tests in clean room conditions. INTA has the only facilities in Spain (and among few worldwide) capable of complete satellite testing.
• Spanish Space Agency (AEE)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Spanish Space Agency supports the VOCALS project (2025–2026), which is part of ESA's ARTES programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems. VOCALS follows the ECHOES demonstration phase.
• European Space Agency (ESA)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA supports the VOCALS project (2025–2026) through its ARTES programme, building on the results of the ECHOES demonstration phase. ESA collaboration signals strong institutional support for Startical's constellation plans.
• NAV PortugalkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese Air Navigation Service Provider actively participating in South Atlantic demonstration corridor (Azores-Santa Maria FIR) within the ECHOES project framework.
• ASA / DECEA (Brazil)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian air navigation authorities (ASA and DECEA) participating in South Atlantic demonstration corridor covering Brazil's Atlantic region and airspace, validating technology for real-world ATM operations.
• ASECNAkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar participates in South Atlantic demonstration corridor (covering Dakar Oceanic, Cape Verde, and Ivory Coast FIRs) within the ECHOES project.
• Oxford Space Systems (UK)supportingTechnology or IntegrationUK-based aerospace company referenced in Startical's social media as a collaborator. Oxford Space Systems likely provides antenna or deployable structural components for the satellite constellation.
• MITIGA SolutionssupportingTechnology or IntegrationAppears as a collaborator and logo partner on Startical's website. MITIGA Solutions specializes in aviation safety and operational solutions, potentially contributing to demonstration activities and data analysis.
• SITAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationGlobal IT provider for the air transport industry appearing as a partner/logo on Startical's website. SITA provides aviation IT infrastructure and may support integration with existing ground-based ATM systems.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany's national aerospace research center appearing as a collaborator. DLR contributes aerospace research expertise to support demonstration and validation activities.
• INPE (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais, Brazil)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian National Institute for Space Research appearing as a collaborator. INPE contributes space research and potentially satellite operations expertise to the South Atlantic demonstration activities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aireon: Aireon is the closest direct competitor, operating a space-based ADS-B surveillance network hosted on the Iridium NEXT LEO constellation and serving ANSPs globally. Both companies sell satellite-based aircraft surveillance and ATM data services to the same ANSP customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Iridium Communications: Iridium operates the Iridium NEXT LEO constellation providing global satellite communications including aeronautical services (e.g., flight tracking, cockpit safety communications). It is a broader incumbent in satellite-based aviation connectivity with overlapping but wider-scope offerings than Startical's ATM-focused VHF service.
• Viasat (Inmarsat): Viasat (post-Inmarsat combination) is a major provider of aeronautical satellite communications for cockpit and cabin connectivity to airlines and business aviation. It is a broad incumbent in aviation satcom, competing indirectly for the same airline and ANSP communication budgets that Startical targets.
• Thales Alenia Space: Thales Alenia Space manufactures satellites and space systems, including those for ATM and aeronautical communications. It is a broad incumbent in the space and ATM ecosystem — both as a potential supplier/partner and as a strategic competitor in space-based aviation infrastructure.

Emerging players

• Spire Global: Spire operates a LEO nanosatellite constellation collecting aviation-related data (e.g., ADS-B aircraft tracking, weather) and serves aviation, maritime, and government markets. It is an emerging player with partial overlap in space-based aviation surveillance data services.

Regional players

• Hispasat: Hispasat is a Spanish-headquartered GEO satellite operator providing communications services across Europe, Latin America, and North Africa. While not a direct ATM competitor, it is a regional satellite incumbent with overlapping aeronautical/government communications ambitions in Startical's home market.

Others

• Indra: Indra is Startical's co-founding parent and a global ATM systems integrator (11,000+ air traffic facilities equipped). It is an enabling ecosystem participant — providing payload engineering and serving as a distribution channel for Startical services globally.
• GomSpace: GomSpace is a Danish small-satellite manufacturer that built the IOD-1 satellite for Startical. It is an ecosystem supplier rather than a competitor, but its small-sat platform technology is part of the broader competitive landscape Startical navigates for constellation manufacturing.
• Kongsberg NanoAvionics: Kongsberg NanoAvionics built the IOD-2 satellite platform for Startical. It is a small-satellite bus supplier serving Startical and many other LEO constellation operators; relevant as an enabling participant in the constellation manufacturing supply chain.
• SITA: SITA is a global IT and communications infrastructure provider for the air transport industry and a Startical collaboration partner. It is an ecosystem participant whose airline and airport IT footprint could become an integration and distribution channel for Startical services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@startical4962
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/startical

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Startical