Measuring icing at high altitude

The satcom-based Planet service was developed with ESA’s help for air–ground communications in light aircraft. It is now used for larger aircraft and rotorcraft worldwide.

The Planet system has multiple applications. Airbus has used it in Asia, Europe and North America to study the formation of ice crystals on aircraft at high altitude. Planet delivered colour-enhanced infrared satellite imagery as well as icing maps in real time to make the icing encounters as productive as possible.