Satellite tracking could prevent airliner disappearances, developers say

Two US companies have developed an airline tracking system that they say would prevent planes disappearing in the manner of the Malaysia Airlines MH370. Instead of sending tracking signals to ground stations - which means planes' locations can be lost over oceans or remote areas - the new system would beam them to satellites. "It doesn't matter if they're flying over the ocean, desert, or North Pole, we'll know where the plane is," said Daniel Baker, CE of FlightAware, the internet flight tracking service which is working with Aireon, which has developed the satellite technology. Aireon's system will place ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast) receivers on low orbit satellites operated by Iridium Communications Inc and is due to be operational from 2018. <br/>