User requirements for HEO satcom for ATM in high latitudes

The air traffic in the Arctic airspace is continuously increasing, as it is in most other airspaces. This air traffic needs the same level of ATM safety as air traffic further to the south. The lack of ground infrastructure and satellite coverage make however the provision of such ATM services at high latitudes difficult. One solution to this challenge is to deploy satellite communication systems using non-geostationary orbits with good coverage at high latitudes. In this work satellites using highly elliptical orbits (HEO) have been considered. In this publication aspects related to air traffic in these areas, such as user categories, traffic volumes and services, are described in the 2020-2030 time frame. As a continuation of this work the impact on system design and dimensioning will be assessed.