CGI is to head up a consortium tasked with developing a virtual, cloud-based alternative to traditional “black box” flight data recorders that will be able to transmit telemetry and operational data to the ground in real time.
The IT consultancy secured the contract through the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Space Systems for Safety and Security programme, with the help of the UK Space Agency.
The Universal Virtual Flight Data Recorder (UVFDR) CGI has been tasked with developing is designed to replicate the functionality of a black box recorder, except the data it records and stores will be made available immediately to ground-based engineers that need it in the event of a mid-air emergency or accident.
